Happy World Sleep Day!

It's a beautiful day in sunny Newcastle today! My spring essentials are featuring daily and the knitwear is gradually receding into the depths of the wardrobe. I'll be keeping a few chunky jumpers at hand for long days in the office and dog walking, but I can finally wear beautiful shirts and flowy tops all topped off a pastel makeup palette. Hooray! I was feeling hot hot hot this morning so I've gone for a smokey eye courtesy of Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal Eyeliner in Blackened Cocoa - http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/635/20160/Product-Catalog/Makeup/Eyes/Eyeliners/Pure-Color/Intense-Kajal-Eyeliner/index.tmpl - with a hint of lavender shadow (from a free palette) and a slick of Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara - http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/637/3599/Product-Catalog/Makeup/Eyes/Mascara/Sumptuous/Bold-Volume-Lifting-Mascara/index.tmpl

So today is World Sleep Day but it seems a shame to nap on such a glorious day so I'm waiting til this evening to get cosy with some scented candles, luxurious body products and a soothing mug of Chai Spiced Cocoa. Here's my lowdown for the best sleep inducing/relaxing beauty products:

1) Arran Aromatics Island Spa collection - http://www.arranaromatics.com/collections/island-spa/ - The perfect lavender scented collection for total relaxation. These hand-made products contain natural ingredients to care for your skin whilst indulging your senses. Try washing your hair with Island Spa Shampoo then slathering on Island Spa Conditioner, wrapping it up in a turban and leaving to soak in while you massage away your aches and pains with Island Spa Enriching Soap. Treat yourself to one of their many gift sets for a real spa experience!

2) Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Elemis-Herbal-Lavender-Repair-Mask-75ml - Battle stress and skin problems in one hit with this wonderfully soothing mask. It works deep into your skin to remove impurities and provides healing benefits for blemishes. Skin is left feeling soft and clear, all ready for a good beauty sleep.

3) Badger Balm Sleep Balm - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Badger-Balm-Sleep-Balm-56g - The ultimate go-to for restful night's sleep. This essential oil rich balm helps to soothe and relax your mind helping you to let go of all the day's goings on and drift off into a natural sleep. Use this when your head's in a spin, it really helps ease anxiety.

4) The White Company White Lavender Signature Candle - http://www.thewhitecompany.com/candles-and-fragrance/candles/white-lavender-signature-candle/ - My absolute favourite lavender scent. Pure and fresh, calming and soothing. Use in your bedroom or bathroom to enhance your relaxation.

5) This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray - http://www.feelunique.com/p/this-works-Deep-Sleep-Pillow-Spray-75ml - A little beauty secret! This lavender spray contains Chamomile and Vertivert to actively alleviate stress and battle both physical and mental exhaustion. Gently inhale this wonderful spray for a deep sleep. Your skin will thank you for it.

Don't forget your favourite PJs, a cosy robe and slippers! Happy snoozing.

Today's Top Tip

Welcome beauty believers!

Today's Top Tip: Applying foundation for a fresh faced, barely there look.

Step 1: Choose a super lightweight, radiance boosting foundation such as Yves Saint Laurent Le Teinte Touche Eclat and dispense a pea sized amount onto your middle finger.

Step 2: Gently spread the product between your first two fingertips on each hand.

Step 3: Use the fingertips to gently press the foundation into the skin, only where it is needed. For example around the eyes and nose to disguise any shadows or redness and in the T-zone area to get rid of shine and create a healthy glow. Applying the product in this way blends it seamlessly with the skin - no harsh lines or tell-tale brush strokes.

Step 4: To keep your look dewy and fresh skip powder and opt for a cream blusher as close to your natural flush as possible and a tinted lip balm. If you want a more polished, matte look simply press translucent powder onto the T-zone area and add a slick of black mascara. A bright pop of lipstick will add edge and sophistication.

There's a huge new trend for 'fresh faced' at the moment. It's been hanging around for a while but with the massive amount of products on the market now aimed at perfecting the skin for a 'no make-up' look it's easy to see why there's been a growing interest in this trend. It's all about beautiful, clear, flawless skin. Radiance, luminosity and even tone are the most sought after results with no visible make-up. One of the best ways to achieve a perfect complexion is with a primer. There are hundreds out there all claiming to do different things, and some of them really do! Bear in mind that you may need different products for different parts of your face. I, for example, need a redness corrector for my jawline and nose, but also need a pore perfecter for my T-zone area and the tops of my cheeks. Clinique do a fantastic range for all skin types - http://www.clinique.co.uk/products/11265/Makeup/Primers/index.tmpl - Benefit The POREfessional Pro Balm Primer is a cult favourite for velvety smooth, flawless skin. It's so good you can even use this in place of foundation! - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Benefit-The-POREfessional-PRO-Balm-22ml - For a more sheer primer try Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydrating Primer - http://shop.nivea.co.uk/skincare/face-care/express-hydration-primer-50ml.html - This is moisturiser with a primer built in for quick results. Use alone or under make-up. There's even one for dryer skin types.

Along with primer, foundation is seeing a revolutionary new age of formulas designed to give great coverage, but without the look or feel of wearing any makeup at all. BB and CC creams are a great way to achieve fast results every day, but using my Top Tip for foundation application you can get a professional, photo-ready finish in a flash.

Beauty Bubble is back and it's Bridal Beauty time!

Good afternoon beauty believers!

I'm well aware that it has been almost a full year since I've posted on this blog, but that is about to change. I've been rocking and rolling through one of the most tumultuous years of my entire life and, unfortunately, I have neglected my writing. The good news is I have not been neglecting my beauty regime! I've lost count of all the new products I've tried in the past year and now I'm stuck into sourcing the perfect Bridal Beauty Box for my big day (172 days to go!).

I'm going to dive straight in with the products I bought just yesterday at SpaceNK in Newcastle.



First up is Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour in Opal Fantasy and Pearl Fantasy - http://uk.spacenk.com/illuminating-eye-colour/MUK200009974.html - These shimmery shades are ideal for a subtle wash of colour to really lighten up the entire lid. Opal Fantasy is a suits-all ballerina pink and Pearl Fantasy is a luscious lavender, perfect for paler skintones and particularly darker eyes. These long lasting shadows are incredibly versatile and can be used to achieve a variety of different effects. Simply dust over lids for a pretty shimmer or use a wet brush to really vamp up the colour. Use a wet angled liner brush to add sparkle to the lash line and inner corners of eyes for a bright pop of colour. Both of these shades are beautiful when used alone, but for a gorgeous Bridal glow try layering with champagne or soft gold shadow and a plum liner smudged gently along the upper lash line. No cats-eye flicks for brides though, soft and sophisticated is the key to looking radiant in all your photos.

Speaking of photos, let me explain my next beauty saviour for brides. How many times have you looked back on photographs and wondered why you looked so pale, washed out or even bright? Well the answer lies in whats inside your make-up and your moisturiser. Products that contain SPF reflect light away from the skin, and when put before flash photography creates a very unflattering white flashback. Finding both a skincare regime and foundation that are 100% SPF free is the best way to ensure glowing skin in your photos. Firstly, really go to town with your skin regime in the run up to your big day. Invest in a good quality cleanser and spend time massaging it in twice a day. This is absolutely the best thing you can do for your skin, anything else you add is a bonus. If you have the budget for it try Eve Lom Cleanser - http://uk.spacenk.com/cleanser/MUK154050009.html - This is a delectable cleansing balm that melts away make-up and impurities while loading your skin with essential oils and cocoa butter. It gently exfoliates to create a  buttery soft, smooth, glowing complexion. Alternatively try any creamy cleanser but avoid foaming ones that strip essential moisture from the skin. Sanctuary Spa Fresh Faced Purifying Face Wash - http://www.sanctuary.com/en-gb/fresh-faced-purifying-wash/ - may be a lather and rinse formula but it's loaded with Vitamin E and glycerin to maintain a healthy moisture balance and is great for oilier skins or those prone to breakouts. I personally use this product a few times a week to keep blackheads at bay! Try using a warm, damp face cloth to gently remove your cleanser rather than rinsing. This adds an extra exfoliating step and stops the skin from drying out. Whilst the skin is still slightly damp you can either jump straight to moisturiser or, and I would recommend this from experience, apply a moisturising toner. Toner helps seal in all that goodness from your cleanser and a moisturising one provides the perfect base on which to apply your moisturiser. Layering products like this also makes the skin plump which actually makes your make-up look better.  Biotherm Biosource Toner for Dry Skin - http://www.biotherm.co.uk/women-care/face/by-concern/dry-skin/cleansing-and-soothing/biosource-toner-dry-skin-001763-3.aspx - is a softening toner that also digs deep into the skin to get rid of any lingering impurities, leaving the skin feeling smooth. I have also recently discovered Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser and Toner - http://www.arranaromatics.com/collections/feel-good-formulas/aloe-vera-cleanser-and-toner/ - This can be used alone to remove make-up or refresh the skin but is also a great second cleansing step to provide moisture and the healing properties of aloe vera leave the skin feeling fresh, clean and clear. It smells incredible too, I love using this in the morning to wake me up! So now your skin is clean and primed and ready to moisturise. Again invest in the best quality you can afford, and don't use it sparingly. The more you use and the more you massage it in the better your skin will look. An SPF free formula is essential for brides. For ultimate luxury go for Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Sorbet Creme - http://www.feelunique.com/p/DIOR-HYDRA-LIFE-Pro-Youth-Sorbet-Creme-50ml - This is a deliciously soft, light cream that glides on and melts away to water leaving the skin hydrated, incredibly even toned and velvety to the touch. Even dryer skin will benefit from this intense hydrating formula that is ideal if you're planning to put foundation over the top. Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Plus Energising Day Cream  - http://shop.nivea.co.uk/skincare/face-care/q10-anti-wrinkle-energy-day-cream-50ml.html - is a rich, softening moisturiser that adds a healthy glow. Really work this one into the skin to plump and prep for your foundation. Foundation is not for everyone, but for a completely flawless, even complexion it's a must for brides. There are some amazing ones out there and the more money you spend, the better the results. Only premium brands will do here and my ultimate Bridal Saviour product (without a doubt) is the fabulous Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation - http://www.feelunique.com/p/DIOR-DIORSKIN-AIRFLASH-Spray-Foundation-70ml - This is by far the best foundation I have ever used. It's 100% SPF free and it's so simple to use. Use a band to cover your hair and protect your clothes with a towel, shake the can for about 30 seconds (this aids even distribution), hold it at arms length away from your face and fairly quickly spray in a 'Z' shape across your face starting at your forehead. Lightly touch up the jawline on both sides if necessary. Now the most important step - completely leave it for a few seconds. Do not touch it. This foundation is made of millions of tiny little beads of liquid that, once sprayed onto the skin, begin to plump up and fill out creating a perfectly smooth and flawless finish. Now you can start to blend with a soft foundation brush for light coverage, or a stiff-bristled one for fuller coverage. Work it into the jawline, nose and forehead avoiding the area just under your eyes (you want to keep this as light as possible.) You can spray the foundation directly onto a brush for application if you prefer, but the finish from spraying directly onto skin is so professional, and so easy to achieve! Try to keep your fingers away as much as you can as the heat from them will disturb the plumping process. I find that I don't need to touch up with any powder after using this product, but if you're a matte fan then go ahead with a translucent powder in the t-zone area. The other foundations that I've found provide a beautiful finish are Yves Saint Laurent Le Teinte Touche Eclat Foundation - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Yves-Saint-Laurent-Le-Teint-Touche-Eclat-Foundation-30ml - and Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup - http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/643/20670/Product-Catalog/Makeup/Face/Foundations/Invisible/Fluid-Makeup/index.tmpl - Both of these foundations provide a flawless finish whilst adding radiance, both with a totally weightless feel.

Wow, do you need a moment to take all of that in? The other product that I bought yesterday (which is nice and easy, don't worry!) is By Terry Baume de Rose 100th Anniversary Gift Set which includes a limited edition lipgloss. This legendary balm is a bride's best friend for her big day - a subtle wash of delicate pink for the lips, a handy go-to for strays and flyaways (even unruly brows!) or a quick cuticle touch up for glowing hands - very important for the ceremony and showing off your new bling. The classic rose scent will soothe your sense and most likely entice your hubby-to-be, no kissing til you've said I Do!

That's all for now, I'll leave you with today's beauty run-down: Arran Aromatics Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser and Toner followed by Estee Lauder Daywear. Eve Lom Radiance Lift Foundation, Dior Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer, Guerlain Meteorites Pearls, Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel, Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour, Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect Faux Cils Babydoll Mascara, By Terry Baume de Rose. Fragrance: Taylor by Taylor Swift.

First Hint of Summer

It's about time I gave you gorgeous readers something else to get you beautiful eyes stuck into! Apologies for my extremely late update, but I do have a really good excuse. Since I got engaged I haven't been spending any money at all. I think the last thing I bought for myself was a lip balm and even then I used my boots points - it was a good one though, the new Elizabeth Arden Intensive Repair Lip Balm to help with the dermatitis on my face and my wintry chapped lips. Honestly, engaged life is the best money saving tip ever! So unfortunately I don't have any beautiful new products to review for you, but I do have some ideas for summer (which is just about starting to let us know it still exists) and my wish list is, as usual, ever growing.

Ok so first up is tanning products. Or to be more specific, bronzing products. There is no better way to cheat a healthy summer glow than with a perfectly prescribed bronzer. There are endless options out there so I'll go through a few of what I consider to be the best.

Powders are definitely the easiest product to start with. They're very versatile and even a novice can achieve great results. They come in just about every shade you could imagine but for a really natural colour try New Elizabeth Arden New York in Bloom Radiant Bronzing Powder in Soft. It's the perfect blend of golden and skin-toned shades to create a subtle glow. It's so simple to sweep over cheekbones, chin, forehead, down the centre of your nose and across your collarbone. You'll look like you've had a week in the Med in seconds. Next up is Guerlain Terracotta Sheer Light Bronzing Powder. There are 4 seriously clever shades in this range - 2 for blondes and 2 for brunettes, natural or sunkissed. Use the natural shade for a healthy glow or the sunkissed for a more tanned effect. Once again this light powder can be applied anywhere you would naturally tan and is great at enhancing features. For a cheaper version try Rimmel 3 in 1 Shimmering Bronzer, which has three shades that can be used altogether or individually to highlight and sculpt. This is a great value product to see you through summer as it can be used all over the face to customise your bronzed look.

Next up are liquid bronzers. Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Make-Up is a quick and easy way to fake a tan for face and body. It dries quickly so it won't stain your clothes and has a natural matte finish. It's wash-off though so check the weather forecast before slapping this all over your bare legs. This works as a perfect base for shimmering summer make-up. For a really indulgent liquid try Guerlain Terracotta Skin. This is a velvety golden liquid that melts into the skin giving you a natural, sunkissed glow. It's full of skin-loving ingredients too which is a bonus and is ideal for wearing alone on bare skin. I'm a huge fan of the Guerlain Terracotta range. All of their products are easy to use and provide great results.

Another way to ease yourself into summer is to invest in a tanning moisturiser. Use a brand that still provides good skincare whilst gently tanning the skin on a daily basis. I adore Soap and Glory Glow Job Daily Radiance Moisturiser. This is a creamy moisturiser for the face that has a hint of bronze built in, and when used everyday helps to maintain a healthy glow. Also try award winning San Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan for Face. Again this is an effective face cream that gently tans the skin on a daily basis creating a natural looking glow.

When it comes to full on self tanning I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat as my skin is so pale and my patience so lacking that I always end up looking a total mess. I'm yet to actually find a tanner that is the right colour for my skin (too yellow, too orange, too brown...) so I stick to simple solutions and embrace my fair complexion. It looks more natural anyway!

Engagement HIgh

Just a quick one!

My lovely boy popped the question in Iceland and I said yes!! We're officially engaged, isn't that wonderful? We are both over the moon and seriously occupied with engagement highs and initial wedding planning. What a perfect excuse to buy all the most beautiful, delicate, pretty make-up I can get my hands on as well as a new fragrance (to match my flowers/theme?) and dresses and shoes and hair pieces... this could be my most perfect party ever.

Oh and to let you know, I ended up buying a lipstick from the Lancome Rouge In Love range in Rouge Valentine - the perfect red for pale skin - and a huge bottle of the new Jimmy Choo Flash from the duty free. The smell will forever remind me of our magical Iceland now. On the way home I found a total bargain gift set at Dior including the brand new Iconic Overcurl Mascara and the Maximiser/Primer for lashes. Perfect.

Duty Free List

I have a list I'm working on, and just two sleeps is all that lies between me and the execution of my list. I am of course talking about my Newcastle Airport Duty Free list! It's been slowly growing for a few weeks now with growing excitement of a) finally owning these coveted items and b) actually going away on holiday. My boyfriend and I are away to Iceland on wednesday and the real excitement has just started to kick in. It's not like any other holiday we've ever been on (I've never had to take thermal socks, a heat control hoody, a waterproof and ice-climbing boots anywhere before, that's for sure.) So to ease myself into the joys of outdoor adventures I am first going to fill my make-up bag with some goodies from the duty free. High on my list is the Dior Cherie Bow range, I've got my eye on Dior Addict Lipstick in Bow for a pretty pink pout suitable for all day, the eyeshadow palettes that boast shimmering golds and pinks and a perfect pale pink nail varnish in the form of Dior Vernis in Tutu. I could also fancy Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick in Rouge Valentine for a more vampy red lip for the 14th and of course I'm dying to try the new Jimmy Choo Flash Eau de Toilette. I'm already a massive fan of the original Jimmy Choo fragrance and would be happy to add this new, fresh scent to my collection. Clinique have FINALLY  unleashed the Chubby Stick Tint for Eyes on the UK so I will definitely be perusing those colours as well. Unfortunately, as you can see, my list is probably a little too long... I will undoubtedly spend at least half an hour with everything in my hands until I can decide what I can't live without. I wouldn't worry though, these items will slowly make their way into my make-up bag one way or another.

Flu be gone.

Apologies readers, I haven't disappeared or decided I no longer have an interest in beauty, I've had the flu. Full on, nasty, horrible flu. I haven't exactly been up to getting out of bed let alone indulge in beauty products and subsequently tell you lovely lot all about them. I'm back at work tonight and (fingers crossed) on the mend so I'm sure I'll be up and running next week. Let me know if there's anything you want to hear/know/talk about.