MAC Candy Yum Yum lipstick

M.A.C Candy Yum Yum lipstick £15
available online and in stores

This is one of those crazy, dare-to-wear lipsticks that has been topping my wishlist for a while now so when I was at the MAC Pro Store opening party in Covent Garden last month, I finally took the plunge and bagged this little beauty. In a nutshell, this lipstick is bright pink with a matte finish. Despite the matte finish, the consistency is smooth to apply and doesn't feel at all drying on the lips. It is definitely a show-stopper shade and one that warrants a steady hand and preferably a lip brush to apply but with a simple cat eye flick and lightly bronzed skin, it is definitely one of the most fun colours in my collection.

Have you tried Candy Yum Yum? What is your favourite bright lipstick?

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Bourjois Blush Exclusif cream blusher

Bourjois Blush Exclusif self-adjusting cream blusher* £7.99
available from Boots and Superdrug

I must confess, I was a little bit sceptical when I first saw this new self-adjusting, made-to-measure cream blusher from Bourjois, creating a personalised pink shade on your skin as you apply. Was it just a gimmick? Well naturally I got my fingers stuck straight in to see whether it was a hit or a miss, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The cream-to-powder formula contains pH-reactive pigments that create a bespoke pink flush on your cheeks in reaction to your own skin's pH. The lovely thing about this product is that everyone's shade will be slightly different and it is quite exciting to see what customised colour the blush will create on you.

I don't think I could have created a more 'me' shade if I tried. It gave my cheeks a sweet, baby pink flush with a slightly dewy, radiant finish. Whereas I usually favour my fingers when applying cream blushers, I discovered that this product was much easier to use with a stippling brush such as the MAC duo fibre 188 brush. The texture is initially quite firm but after a few swirls of your brush or finger it softens up and applies smoothly onto your skin. A great little product for a quick and unique flush of pink!

Are you excited to try this bespoke blush?

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NARS Orgasm blush

NARS Orgasm Blush £21.50
available online

NARS Orgasm blush is one of those iconic beauty product I've been coveting for years (literally) and even more so after falling in love with the The Multiple cream stick version and its beautiful peachy-pink shade. Needless to say, this blusher is absolutely gorgeous and was definitely worth the wait. The powder is finely milled and so smooth to apply, giving your cheeks a subtle flush of pink laced with golden shimmer. The warm sheen makes this blusher the perfect two-in-one product to add colour and a beautiful glow in a quick sweep of your brush. I like the fact that the powder isn't too intensely pigmented so you have the option to keep it quite sheer and pretty, or layer it for a more dramatic look. I know there are various dupes out on the market for this desirable blush but sometimes you just can't beat the original and I can definitely see myself reaching for this shade time and time again!

Have you tried this blusher from NARS?

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La Roche-Posay skincare

The La Roche-Posay is a French brand that has been getting beauty bloggers and skincare enthusiasts buzzing for a while now so it was only a matter of time before I stepped up, slathered on and put my two cents in. La Roche-Posay is a dermatologically advanced skincare brand that cater for all skin types but particularly target its products for those who suffer from sensitive skin. Available online and in Boots, they boast a scarily extensive range of products for the face and body, and every ailment possible, so there is bound to be an eye cream or moisturiser for you!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo* (£13) is one of those products that has been getting praise left, right and centre recently so I was very keen to trial it myself and see if I concur with the blanket adoration. And I do! The main role of this serum-like cream is to correct skin imperfections and unclog blocked pores to prevent or control spot breakouts. It really is an amazing little product and the few breakouts that I did use to suffer from have been dramatically reduced and any current spots have literally been banished away. I am currently using this most days and my skin feels purified, smooth and wonderfully clear.

La Roche-Posay Hyraphase Intense Masque* (£15.50) is a soothing rehydration masque, ideally used once a week, to keep skin's water levels topped up and give your complexion a boost of moisture. The hyaluronic acid fragments within this lightweight gel-like cream infuse and retain water in the skin for optimal hydration and the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring water works at soothing and calming the skin. Even after just ten minutes I really feel the positive effects of this masque and my skin feels plump, hydrated and soft. It is a great masque to use when you just need to give your skin a touch of TLC.

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Eyes* (£15) has all the similar hydrating loveliness as the masque but this little beauty is designed specifically for the delicate and sensitive eye area. It has a gorgeously silky, soothing formula that gives puffy eyelids a dose of energising caffeine and the clever Thermal Spring water helps combat dark circles and dehydration lines. Used after my Effaclar Duo, this completes my perfect skin-loving combination and has left my eyes feeling revived and cared for.

Are you a fan of La Roche-Posay skincare? Which products do you recommend?

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Illamasqua The Sacred Hour collection

wearing the Reflection Palette, Skin Base Lift and Sleek blusher with Aurora cream highlighter

The Sacred Hour collection from Illamasqua
available online, in stores and Selfridges

As we sink further into The Fall season and everything begins to dim, a new Autumn Winter collection dawns on us and this time it is from the ever-expressive brand - Illamasqua. The Sacred Hour is an exciting new collection inspired by the punctuations of the day - the new beginnings of daybreak and the fiery ends of sunset. We are invited to release our inner warrior and find our courage within as we enhance our features with a moody-toned lipstick and mystical quad of eyeshadow shades.

The New Reflection Palette is a truly beautiful palette inspired by nature's pure tones to really complement and enhance your makeup. The texture of these shadows is silky smooth and easy to blend, making them perfect to wear alone or all together for a completely enchanting look. The New Velvet Blusher in Sleek offers an unexpected consistency as the cream formula blends into a powder finish upon contact with the skin giving you a long-wearing, matte finish with a natural radiance. Sleek is a gorgeous dusky coral blusher that is a little darker and more 'earthy' than your generic coral blusher which makes it a perfect option for Autumn-inspired makeup looks.

One of my favourite products, (quelle surprise!) is the new lipstick in Shard, a stunning darkened red-violet stain that is smooth to apply and packs a real punch of colour. Plum lips are big news again for AW so am looking forward to wearing this shade with a simple cat eye flick and bronzer-free, natural skin. Along with this new Fall collection sees the launch of Illamasqua's Skin Base Lift (my shade: Light 1) - an illuminating and brightening concealer infused with peach tones to flatter all skin tones and cancel out dark circles and uneven pigmentation. It is lightweight, blends in easily and really lifts the under-eye area to give you wide awake eyes in a flash - well in three dots and a light dab with your fingertip! But if you aren't sold on the makeup from this new collection then the dramatic lashes and the iridescent nail polish in Hemlock are definitely worth checking out too.

What pieces have caught your eye from The Sacred Hour collection?

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Paisley print playsuit

Playsuit* - Motel

Heels - New Look

Lipstick - MAC Snob

The arrival of this new playsuit from Motel couldn't have come at a better time as I was having a frantic panic about what to wear to meet a friend last night for drinks. I have actually been trying to track down the perfect playsuit all Summer long so it is typical that I finally find one I like just as we slowly venture into Autumn. That said, I can definitely see myself wearing this with some thick tights and chunky boots as the weather starts to get a bit chillier. I love the vintage-inspired paisley print, a pleasant alternative to florals, and the long sleeves and button shirt detail makes it the perfect choice if you wish to flash less flesh but still feel dressed up enough for a night on the town! Best of both worlds. :)

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Elemental Herbology Cell Food facial serum

Elemental Herbology Cell Food Radiance and Vitality Serum* £45
available online and Space NK

I use to think serums were just an over-fussy addition to an already chockablock skincare regime. However a year or so ago I began sneaking a serum in here and there, hoping that my boyfriend wouldn't notice this further addition on the bedside table, and slowly I became reliant on their skin-loving properties. Serums are the filler to your skincare sandwich - best applied after cleansing and before your moisturiser to really nourish and vitalise the skin, working on a cellular level.

This facial serum from Elemental Herbology is a real gem and promises to boost radiance and uplift dull and tired skin. It contains a powerhouse of proteins, vitamins and antioxidants which offer the ultimate nutrition for you skin and gave my complexion a real boost of hydration, a healthy glow and a pleasant plumpness. Delicate enough to be used twice a day and proudly free of any synthetic fragrances, mineral oils or parabens, Cell Food serum is suitable for all skin types and a must-have for any frequent travellers to help deal with the lifestyle and environmental changes that can affect your skin. It feels lovely, silky and fresh to apply and quickly sinks into your skin in time for your next skincare step -  a layer of moisturiser before bed. Using this has definitely cemented by belief that everyone needs a serum in the regime and this is a great one to start with.

Do you enjoy using serums in your skin routine?

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