Coquette Noelle

So after a week of only reviews I thought I would do something a little more interesting. I am going to talk about my most used and loved brushes which I will reach for on a daily basis and would immediately repurchase if lost or broken!

Real Techniques Buffing Brush - A beauty bloggers favourite if I ever knew one. Works with everything to create a perfect base. It really is a perfect brush for all uses, mineral, cream or liquid foundations!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - This is the foundation brush I reach for when I want a perfect, heavier coverage finish to my make-up as I find it doesn't sheer my base and makes it photoshop perfect. It is also multi use as I love this brush to use with my Chanel Bronze Universel as it blends and buffs the bronzer in to make a victoria secretesque bronzed glow.

Illamasqua Highlighter Brush - An impulse purchase yet I have never looked back. Very soft and versatile, can be used for almost everything. From foundation, to blush to highlighter. My choice of preference blush, a perfectly sized brush so you never go colour-overboard.

Real Techniques Setting Brush - Aimed at being an under eye setting brush. However it is great for blending under eye concealer - let's prevent any eye tugging and wrinkles! It fits the contours of the eyes perfectly and blends concealer flawlessly.

Real Techniques Dome Shadow Brush - A little large as an eyeshadow brush for me so I use this for blending concealer. Not so much so for pin-point concealing but for redness around the face, around the nose or a cluster of pesky bumps.

MAC 242 - One of my favourite eye brushes! I love this for highlighter in the tear duct or for applying eyeshadow all over the eye without packing it on. Can not fault this.

MAC 217 - Classic. Who can blend without a 217?

Which are your most used brushes?

So a long time ago I did a haul (see here) and needed to talk about the highlighter that is Crescent Moon.

Crescent Moon/Sun Beam is an incredibly pigmented gold highlighter - be careful with this ladies, only the tiniest tap of the brush is necessary! The colour would look great on all skin tones, from the lightest to the darkest. It is a little powdery however the pigmentation really is the star of the show with this product. It really is a highlighter for life with multi-use as an eyeshadow also! It is amazing quality for the price of £10.

You can pick this up at your local Topshop for £10.

Have you tried the Topshop highlighters?

Becca has been make on the market for a few months now so I ran to the chance at a few purchases. I bought the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Moonstone (love) and the Becca Beach Tint in Dragonfruit. Becca Beach Tints are water-resistant stains for the cheeks and lips - ideal for holidays, swimmers and people who want long wearing make-up!

The shade Dragonfruit is a gorgeous pink which would flatter the cheeks and the lips... especially with a tan! It looks quite small however you need a pin prick amount as it is incredibly pigmented, yet still manages to look incredibly natural. It was long-lasting and stayed on when I gave my face a quick water-rinse. My plans for this are for the beach, to add a little colour an life to the face without having to wear make-up. I really do believe that mascara and blusher wakens and brightens the face. Work fast when blending this product as it does dry fast so I suggest that less is more as you can always build the colour up however you can't take it away! For £20 it may seem pricey due to the size however if reserved for water-resistant moments only, this could potentially last you years as very little is needed.

Becca Beach Tint £20 is available exclusively at Space NK

Have you tried Becca Beach Tint?

If you didn't already know, in a few months I shall be packing my life and moving to Nice for a year. Due to this I have realised that I may get a little darker in the Nicoise sun and all of my products only fit my current (NC30) skintone. As I have been wanting to try out Mac Studio Finish Concealer for a long time, I decided to purchase this palette which caters to my current skintone and also has some darker shades for the warmer weather! Two birds, one palette!

The palette in the shade medium contains the shades: NC30, NW25, NC35, NW35 a mid-yellow corrector and a mid-peach corrector.

Some may be intimidated by the palette but you shouldn't be. It is terrific. You can mix shades to make the perfect colour match, you have extra shades if you tan, natural or fake! You can mix a little of the darker concealers into your foundations to darken them if you have tanned. Plus you can mix the concealers with the correctors to cover anything! I find that the yellow is best for any purple tones and to brighten it and to lift any dark pigmentation. The peach shade is great for any blue-tones such as darkness under the eyes.

Overall, I am so pleased I bought this product. Six concealers for £35. I really can't complain! Other shades are also available online or in a Mac Pro Store!

What do you think of the concealer palette?

Have you ever had a cream eyeshadow that smoothly glided onto the eye, softly blended out and stayed perfectly put all day? If the answer is yes then you must already own this product. If not, then let me introduce you to ByTerry Ombre Blackstar. Smooth, pigmented perfection... If ByTerry did husbands, they would cook, clean and put their socks in the washing basket!

Bronze Moon is a beautiful bronze shade which can either be blended out to give a sheer wash of colour or built up to be more opaque. It dries and sets quickly and does not move, crease or fade ALL DAY and that is without even a primer! The luxe gold packaging is certainly beautiful however all this beauty comes at a price - £27.50! Ouch. I know. If you can afford it then I would certainly recommend it however if not then stick with the Maybelline Colour Tattoes (review here) or the MAC Paint Pots! Not in stick form however perform just as well... minus the creaaaamyness.

ByTerry Ombre Blackstar £27 is available at Cult Beauty

Have you tried ByTerry Ombre Blackstar?

Now I know what you're thinking. Gloss? For the eyes? But don't worry, it is not sticky, it is simply a liquid eye shadow which dries to a beautiful shimmer onto the lids. For the new Dior Birds of Paradise collection, I had to really restrain myself! However, the eye gloss was something I never heard of and I have never tried so I snapped it up from Escentual for £17.

So what is it? - "Dior gey shadow bathes eyelids in aqua freshness for a crystalline shimmer, combining wet shine with aqua light reflections for an exotic look".

Crystalline Shimmer this certainly is! It makes your eyelids shimmer and look oh-so-summery. I can't wait to wear this with dewy glowing skin and a bold lip! This is certainly one for holidays as it is incredibly long-lasting so will be great in hot climates. It claims to be waterproof however I have not put this to the test but I do intend to have some pool-side glamour with this, some waterproof mascara and a slick of lipgloss.

You can get Dior 1 Couleur Eye Gloss at your local Dior Counter for £20 or for £17 from Escentual. It is available in two shades Golden Sands (the shade in this post) or Zenith (a copper colour). These are limited edition products so snap them up before they go!

Have you tried Dior Eye Gloss?

I do like Benefit products, their packaging is cute and they have some superb displays however when I am shopping for something a bit more high end, I usually drift towards Mac, Dior or Chanel and forget about Benefit. However, Benefit Coralista Blush is the most beautiful every-day blush that it deserves a post dedicated to it!

As I mentioned before, Benefit products are always beautifully packaged and this one is no exception, in a cute box which also comes with a brush (althought I prefer to use my own brush).

Coralista is a beautiful light shimmery peach-coral. I wouldn't call it a true coral as it pulls light pinky-peach on my skin. It has a beautiful sheen due to the mica however has no glitter so won't accentuate pores. A great 2 in 1 highlight and blush. And THE SMELL. Mmm. It smells like those fizzy orange vitamin tablets which you put in water. A great refreshing smell on mornings with a great brightening shade. It is quite light so I don't know whether this would look great on dark skinned ladies. However pale-mediums will love this as it is such a beautiful every day shade which adds a natural flush of radiance!

Have you tried Benefit Coralista?

Whilst searching my second favourite site Cult Beauty (you're only second because Sporcle doesn't make me spend money!) I found a mud mask which I hadn't tried before which had some astounding reviews so into my basket it went and multiple uses later I am here to tell you why this baby is Fango-tastic!

Borghese Fango can be used on the face and body. It is an exfoliating, decongesting mask which does not dry out the skin (thanks to a little almond oil and hyaluronic acid). It is the most de-congesting mud mask that I have ever tried. I like to mix it with other mud masks to add a little but of umph to them or I apply it alone onto the t-zone to rid those pesky blackheads! After several uses, I find that my blackheads are less and less and my skin is clearer. This is one of the first few items which I have found to make a real difference in reducing blackheads and with continuous use I hope they become a thing of the past thanks to this mask! It may seem pricey at £25 however I think that it is excellent value for money as it is one of the best, if not the best, mud mask on the market!

Available at Cult Beauty.

Have you tried any Borghese products?

Whilst tidying up my make-up, I looked over at my blush collection and realised that my powdered beauties were looking sad and unloved in the corner as I have been reaching for something creamier to sport on my cheeks. I dabble in different brands when it comes to cream blushers and have found that so many brands do great quality cream blushers however these are my top drugstore picks for when it comes to a dewier flush on the cheeks.

Stila Convertable Colour £16 - Peony - Stile Convertable Colours are marketed for lips and cheeks. They come in an array of colours, one for every preference and every skin tone! Peony is quite a neutral shade, a brown-pink I would say. I love this for when I am doing a more dramatic eye and don't want the rest of my make-up to compete yet want to keep it looking fresh and dewy. I imagine this colour would pull a little more pink on paler skins and would look amazing! As this shade is quite neutral I don't seem to reach for it much however I may have to purchase the orange shade Gladiola to get more Convertable Colour loving going on.

Topshop Cream Blush £6 - Head Over Heels - Topshop Cream Blushers are a cream-to-powder formula and are a little less dewy on the skin. The shade Head Over Heels is a stunning coral shade which is perfect for the summer, matched with a coral lip! Topshop Cream Blushers are great for first time cream blush users as they are super easy to blend due to their powdery texture.

Bourjois Cream Blush £7.99 - 03 Rose Tender - A new release for Bourjois are the Cream blushers which come in 4 shades, I have the shade 03 tender rose which is a soft dolly-pink. I would say it sits in between a powdery and cream finish as it is neither of the two. This is a great shade for pink lovers or for brightening up the face, great for the summer to add a little bit of a flirty colour to the cheeks.

Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush £6.99 - Soft Pink - Now this blush is marketed as a blush however I would say that this works brilliantly on the cheeks and on the lips. It is quite high shine so is definitely one for the dewy glow lovers. Soft pink is a bright, yet still soft pink! It can be sheered out to give a natural glow or layered to build up more intensity. This again is a great brightening shade as it really does give a natural flush to the skin.

Stila Peony, Topshop Head Over Heels, Bourjois Rose Tender, Max Factor Soft Pink

Have you been loving any cream blushers lately?

The hunt for the perfect concealer has been an on-going battle for me. Imperfections are easy - any heavy duty concealer will do! However, getting rid of those tell-tale 5 hours sleep signs around my eyes - not so easy. I have fleeting affairs with several products, however the majority of them are too thick and crease, making my au-natural look not so natural! I do have a love for the Clinique Airbrush Concealer however those are better for my 8-hour sleep nights as it is quite sheer! So, where art thou lightweight, medium coverage concealer....

Welcome By Terry Touche Veloutee (£35) in Cream.

The Touche Veloutee may seem pricey at £35 however you get a lot! It isn't the same size as the highlighting concealers in the drugstore (1.8ml), this one means business at 6.5ml! It has a large brush applicator and dispenses with a click. It's luxe gold packaging makes morning make-up all the more satisfying.

Now to the good stuff. The product. The concealer provides a medium coverage, masking those sleepless nights. I wouldn't say it is light reflective however it does illuminate the eye area, wakening the eyes. It is incredibly soft and buffs into the skin flawlessly, leaving your eyes smooth with absolutely no caking. The only woe I have is the clicky pump and that it sometimes dispenses a little more than I need and would prefer it to dispense less or have a twist dispenser. This is no large problem as if I don't use all the concealer on the brush I simply leave it there as the lid is large enough to not waste product and save it for the next time!

All in all, this is one of the best concealers I have tried for under the eyes. It is smooth, covers dark circles and doesn't cause a problem with creasing!

Have you tried By Terry Touche Veloutee?

I present to you the Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight. A beauty if I ever saw one.

My name is Sarah and I am a highlighter addict. I love highlighters and own perhaps the majority of the ones on the market however, this highlighter is a woman's highlighter. There are no teenage sparkles, just simple elegant sheen. It is incredibly soft and finely milled and gives the most natural and subtle sheen when applied! As I am an addict, it is not one which I reach for on a daily basis, sometimes preferring something with a bit more shimmer, I confess. However, I know that many dislike chunky glitter and are afraid of highlighting pore or wrinkles... in steps Kevyn. This. This is the highlighter for you! Perfect for everyday elegance.

The Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder £34 is available at Cult Beauty and Space NK.

Have you tried Candlelight Celestial Powder?

Within this final series I will be teaching you some final few lessons. The first lesson is to learn to invest in your skin. Some of my skin saviours are not cheap (although they do last long) and it wasn't until I tried them that I realised that sometimes spending that extra bit of cash really does make a difference. If you are willing to spend £30 on a new top, why not invest it in your face?

My top, pricier, skincare brands are the brands I really suggest you try if you want to see a real difference in your skin. I trust them and all of their products and you can go to a counter to seek advice or shop about online. There favourite brands of mine are: Origins, Ren, Alpha H, Liz Earle and Indeed Labs.

My ultimate skincare products I would recommend to you are:

Origins Oil Free Cleanser

Alpha H Liquid Gold

REN AHA Resurfacing Concentrate

Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser

Indeed Labs Hydraluron

I really believe with a few of these products, you can begin to change your skin and start a new relationship with skincare. This is where lesson number two comes in: Commitment. You won't have new skin in a week, it takes hard work and a lot of tlc. Try not to stress that it isn't working immediately - stress will only contribute to your skins problems. If you learn to cleanse your skin properly and moisturise it daily, it will thank you. Once your skin is improving, don't stop! It will relapse, this new relationship is for life so learn to love this routine and to love your skin.

The final lesson is links into commitment and loving your skin. If you love your skin, you will look at it and notice any differences. Our skin changes with age, climates, stress, etc. Change your routine and products to suit your skin, if it is becoming drier, try a more hydrating moisturiser, something heavier. If you are becoming redder, see whether it is because your skin is becoming sensitive to a product. A little love mixed in with some good quality products, some of which are available on a budget, others you may have to invest a little more on, you will see a difference and truly look after your skin. As Caroline (all hail) Hirons would say "You only get one skin!".

Hourglass are certainly a cult beauty brand, hitting the nail on the end with every product they release (ever heard of a thing called Ambient Lighting Powder, yep?). Due to their unbelievable hype surrounding them and the promises of warmer climates I decided to try out the Opaque Rouge in their infamous shade Icon (a classic red).

The packaging is sleek however it is surprisingly small, I was expecting something similar sized to the Rimmel Apocalips. However, the size may come in handy in teeny tiny clutches for night outs.

The shade is what I would describe as a blood red. A beautiful deep, dark red which has a very vampy feel to it without being berry toned. A very versatile shade which can look incredibly dark and sexy or very clean and elegant.

It is a liquid lipstick which dries, almost instantly, to a stain. Like most traditional stains, it is not at all drying and this really does last for hours without needing a touch up! Eat, sweat, swim, drink, kiss, you can do it all without this smudging, smearing or feathering!

Overall this is a STAR product. Long lasting, comfortable lip colour is all a girl can ask for, especially this girl! So much so that I am already eyeing up their orange shade in Riviera! You can pick up this up or any of the other 8 shades at Space NK for £23, which may seem pricey however is totally worth it if you want a long lasting lip colour!

Have you tried Hourglass Opaque Rouge?

Even after spending (too much) money during exam time. I find myself discovering more and more products I want to try and play with. However, no income (student) plus saving up for my year abroad means tightening those purse strings... for now at least. I thought I would let you have a sneak peek at the products I want badly however can not justify purchasing!

theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer £15