Top Budget Make-up Buys Under £5 (Part 1).

Having spent lots of money over the years on make-up (both high end and budget) I am always on the look out for high quality products with a low price tag. We all are, right?

The British high street (and web) are amazing when it comes to beauty products. Affordable, high quality make-up is endlessly being released and we are spoilt for choice. There are so many brands and so many products, sometimes it's hard to know what to go for.

To celebrate my love for affordable great quality make-up, I am sharing with you my favourite make-up products, all tried and tested by moi and all coming in at under £5! So, you can treat yourself and get your 'fix' without breaking the bank. Ooh and look pretty good doing it too!

I should also mention that I am an avid MAC user and have replaced some of my favourite MAC products with the ones featured on this blog!

So, let's get cracking...

Collection - Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation. £5.99.

Ok firstly, I have to mention that this foundation is just over £5! I am yet to find a foundation under £5 I would honestly recommend. This retails at £5.99 now but when I first started buying it years ago, it was under £5. It is also often on offer for £3.99!! So you will let me off, yes?

This is one of my favourite foundations EVER. I use this every day and it is much better than foundations that I have paid a lot more for! I was attracted to buying it initially because of the SPF, being oil free and the low price. I had no idea how fantastic the coverage would be, how long this would stay on (even through a gym workout!) and what a lovely dewy finish it would have. This is the only foundation that I have repurchased over a period of years. I urge you all to try this one. It is just fantastic, I cannot fault it.

Available in six shades.

Using instead of : MAC studio Sculpt (£25).

Available from : Boots and Superdrug.

Collection - Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer. £4.19.

My favourite foundation's lil sister... Lasting Perfection concealer. This is huuuuge favourite amongst 'you-tubers' , bloggers and beauty lovers. I cannot sing it's praises enough, just like the matching foundation. It lasts, it's creamy, it offers great coverage, it brightens the eye area, it doesn't need touching up and it's super inexpensive!  

Available in four shades.

Using instead of : MAC Studio Finish Concealer (£15)

Available from : Superdrug and Boots.

MUA - Bronzer Shade 3. £1.

I bought this when my contour shade ran out to see what it was like. It's only £1 so I wasn't too bothered if it turned out to not be very good. But,  I am super happy that I did as it is not shimmery and it is really pigmented. It is marketed as a bronzer, but of course you can use it for contouring, bronzing and even in the crease of the eye (I do!). A true multi-tasking bargain this is!  

Available in three shades.

Using instead of : MAC Harmony blush (£18).

Available from : Superdrug.

Accessorize - Merged Baked Blush in Sensation. £4.95.

I was initially drawn to this blush by the pretty swirly appearance and the packaging. I swatched all the shades in store and eventually decided on this one. It is sooo pretty and natural looking when applied. I really like baked products as they don't crumble and give a gorgeous healthy glow. If you like a light flush of colour (which is build able) and you like a dewy finish...this is the blush for you!

Available in four shades.

Using instead of : MAC Mineralize Baked Blush (£20).

Available from : Superdrug and Accessorize.

E.L.F - Baked Blush In Pinktastic. £3.75.

 I bought this earlier this month purposely to use a highlighter. Despite it being marketed as a blush, I wouldn't use it as a blusher as it is a light champagne/goldy-pink shade. It is however, absolutely stunning as a highlighter. It is very smooth, pigmented, easy to work with and not chalky or crumbly. I use it to highlight the top of my cheekbones and on the brow bone. This is one product I will definitely be repurchasing!

Available in four shades.

Using instead of : MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle (£22).

Available from : e.l.f

Collection - Pressed Powder in 03 Translucent. £1.99.

Again, looking for a more affordable setting powder, I bought this when I finished my MAC mineralize skinfinish. I bought the shade 03 translucent so it would not alter the colour of my skin/make-up. I am so impressed with this powder. Just look at the skin loving ingredients : Silk, Vitamin E, UVA and UVB sunscreen. Also, look at the price...£1.99! I have paid ten times that amount for a face powder that didn't have skin loving ingredients in like this nor did it give a natural finish like this one does.

Available in seven shades.

Using instead of : MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Medium (£22).

Available from : Superdrug and Boots.

So, that is part 1 of my 'Top Budget Make-up Buys Under £5' done. Parts 2 and 3 will be coming soon, so watch this space!

What are your favourite budget make-up finds? 

Have you tried any of the products I mentioned?

Thanks for stopping by.

How to beat Winter skin..

It's almost that time of the year again. Winter is upon us and the cold weather can play havoc with your immunity, your skin, your hair and it can make you feel and look generally...blurgh!

We all want dewy, soft, healthy looking skin. But, with the wintery, blizzard like conditions outside and desert like conditions inside, skin can become red, dry, parched and problematic.

Your skin needs a bit of extra TLC during these cold months. The skin care products you were using in summer, may need to be changed.

Firstly, I am going to BRIEFLY mention 'Diet and Exercise' (I could write an essay on it!) Without a doubt, beautiful and healthy looking skin comes from within. Lifestyle and diet are key to healthy looking skin.

Eating a healthy diet rich in fruit, oats, nuts and seeds, avocados, oily fish, yogurt will really improve the tone and luminosity of your skin. (I can vouch for this!)

Your fluid intake should be water, water and more water. Water not only flushes out toxins giving you clearer skin but it also hydrates your whole body giving your face a smoother plump appearance. This is exactly what you want to be doing, especially in conditions that are trying to dry your skin out! 

Want a rosy glow? Exercise! If you can't bear to exercise at this time of year, go for a brisk walk outside. This will get the blood rushing to your cheeks in no time! This blood contains oxygen and nutrients which tone and nourish your face!

Fret ye not, I am here to help!

Now, onto my favourite skin care products to give you even more help in stopping Winter's evil antics in it's tracks.

FACE

Bio-Oil 

The first time I bought this was August this year! (I know). Oh Bio-oil, it took a while but I am soooo glad we met. This is the best product I have EVER applied to my face. That's quite a statement but it's true. I bought this to treat a small scar and was reluctant to use it all over my face as my skin can be sensitive and doesn't like fragrance. But my skin loves this. I have been using it for 3 months now and it hasn't broke me out! Yay!

I bought the 200ml bottle when it was on offer for £13. People think this is expensive stuff but it works and I have only used approx 50ml in 3 months!! That's an investment.

The oil itself  contains the following:

Botanicals

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (Calendula Oil)

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil (Lavender Oil)

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil (Rosemary Oil)

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Chamomile Oil)

Vitamins

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) 

Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)

There is also a mix of oils, fragrance and colour.

I cannot praise this enough. I use it every night and sometimes in the morning too. Make-up will apply over this also, just give it time to soak in a bit!

Whether you have scars or stretch marks or not? You need this skin saviour in your life. Apply this in the evening and your skin will look better by morning. Trust me!

N.B If this is a bit pricey, Aldi do a similar oil called 'Re-gen oil' and it is much cheaper! ;-)

Aloe soothing day cream - The Body Shop.

This is my other facial product of choice. I have used this for years as I like my skin care to have as little fragrance and unnecessary ingredients in them as possible! 

Aloe Vera is renowned for treating skin problems such as redness, eczema, burns and rashes etc. This face cream does just that. It makes your skin appear smoother and it is very gentle and soothing. I apply this every morning as make-up is easier to apply over this than the Bio-oil!

LIPS

Lansinoh HPA LANOLIN.

OK, ok so this is ''technically'' for cracked and sore nipples but, hear me out!

Have you ever smiled and felt your lip crack? (Ouch!).

Cue HPA Lanolin! Marketed as the World's purest lanolin nipple cream. 100% natural, safe and hypoallergenic. I have used this for a year and think it is fantastic value for money, bigger and better than any lip balm. It leaves a lovely subtle gloss effect to your lips, no need for gloss here! This tube is 40ml and cost £5.99 (It normally retails for £9.99). I have a lot of product left too.

This is also a great alternative to the much hyped (very expensive) 'Lanolips'.

Superdrug have this on offer currently for £6.66 ;-)

HANDS

Hemp Hand Protector - The Body Shop.

My holy grail hand cream. Nothing compares. Well, nothing I have tried anyway.

The Hemp range from 'The Body Shop' is marketed as for very dry skin. Thus making it ideal for your frozen, dry and hardworking handies. I love the formulation of this and how my hands feel instantly after applying it. Two moisturised thumbs up for value for money also, a little goes a long way.

I have seen many comments and reviews on the scent of the hemp range. Most of them stating they dislike the scent. I, however have no issues with the scent at all. In fact, I really like it! 

I have the 100ml tube which costs £10. There is also a 30ml tube available but that one is not as good value for money, coming in at £5.

This is one for your handbag (or man-bag, Gentlemen).

GLOVE UP

After applying your hand cream...GLOVE UP!! wearing gloves traps moisture in your hand region, thus reducing the whole drying out process. 

Washing your hands often will also dry them out so switch to a hand sanitiser when possible and keep applying that hand cream. 

'Hand Food' by Soap & Glory is another ''mitt moisturiser'' I really like.

BODY

Palmer's Cocoa Butter

One word. Palmer's. I needn't say any more. I will, but I needn't. Palmer's has been around since the middle of the Nineteenth Century and their products are still flying off the shelves today. The reasons...Vitamin E and Cocoa butter are THEE two most skin loving, moisturising elements your can put on your skin. Ever. The price of this is incredible, it is really inexpensive and widely available all over the U.K and the world. The smell is divine, it smells like vanilla, chocolate and nourishing lushness. Caution: You may want to eat it or lick yourself, please don't!

There are a lot of Palmer's products available but I favour this one, the original. It is so rich and moisturising. It is also really good for increasing your skin's elasticity, thus improving stretch marks and uneven or sagging skin.

A true cult classic, some things are best kept simple. This is one of them. Give me a Palmer's product over an expensive high end cream any day.

400ml £5.29 (currently!).

SUNSCREEN

Last but not least...sunscreen, sun cream, SPF, whatever you want to call it; it is not just for summer time.  Winter sun, combined with snow glare can still damage your skin. I always wear a moisturiser and/or foundation with an SPF of at least 15.

I hope this blogpost helps some (or all) of you with your skin dilemmas this winter.

What are your winter skin saviours?

Will you be trying any of my recommendations?

Please leave a comment below and check out my other pages (all links are at the top right of this page).

Thanks for stopping by.

Bye for now, Jude x.

Shopping Trip FOTD (Face Of The Day).

My shopping trip 'Face of the day' - A daytime smoky eye and light pink lip.

Going shopping is one of my favourite things to do. So, when it comes to getting ready I like to keep it quick and simple (more shopping time!).

Throughout the week, I seldom wear eyeshadow as I am usually in the gym or rushing about, so when it's the weekend I like to play with make-up more.

However for the purpose of this blog and said shopping trip, I went for this look just to create definition around the eyes and I kept the lips to a subtle pink shade.

For the eyes:

Clockwise from top left : MAC paintpot in Quite Natural (as base), ELF Matte Eyeshadow in Brick (in the crease), ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Celebrity (all over lid) and ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Elegant (In inner corner).

The finishing touch and essentially the creator of the 'smoky eye' NYX jumbo eye pencil in dark brown. (Applied to waterline and tightline)

For the lips :

MAC Angel. 

All of the products:

For the rest of my face I used:

Revlon Photoready foundation in 004 Nude.

MUA bronzer in shade 3 to contour.

Accessorize baked blush in Sensation.

ELF baked blush in Pinktastic as a highlighter.

Miss Sporty pump up booster mascara in black.

Rimmel eyebrow pencil in Hazel.

Models own Utopia on nails.

So that's it!

I really like this look and often play it up even more when going out by adding more definition in the outer corner, adding glitter and using a dark gel liner above the upper lash line too. I really like this colour combo on me and it's great for green eyed girls as it makes the green colour pop even more!

What are your 'go to' looks for a shopping trip?

Will you be recreating this look?

Please leave a comment below and check out my other pages (all link at the top right of this page).

Thanks for stopping by.

Bye for now, Jude x.

Things I'm lovin'...November edition.

Hi guys! I have done six blogs now, all of which are beauty related. So, I am sharing something a little different with you.

A mish mash of things that I am 'loving right now'.


Autumn.

I am not a big fan of very hot weather. Some like it hot but, I love the cooler weather.

Autumn is the most beautiful and magical season, in my opinion. The colour of the leaves, spider webs bejewelled with dew, the cool crisp air, the Autumn sunsets and the smell of burning leaves. Nature at it's finest.

Not to mention the nostalgia from my youth. Nature trails, squirrel spotting, conker fights, bonfire night, cough candy and class projects.

I really enjoy being outdoors but also love being indoors and donning my favourite pyjamas, lighting a candle and sipping a hot drink. Ahhhh...

Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf.

I bought this album back in 2003. I listened to it A lot back then and now, ten years later...I think I like it even more.

This currently resides in my car stereo and is not coming out. You want perfect driving music? It doesn't get much better than this album. Every tune is beyond amazing, Queens Of The Stone Age are rocking bloody geniuses! 

These guys could teach modern day artists a thing or twenty! 

Cool Mint Oreo's

OMG. Why aren't these available in the U.K? (Actually, that may be a good thing!)

Regular Oreo's, I can take or leave but THESE are summink else!

Creamy, minty, crunchy and sooo delicious.

If you are wondering how I have to come have these in my possession, it is because I have family in Los Angeles who kindly sent me three packs :-P

If you are also wondering if they're that good that I couldn't resist eating half of one whilst taking the photo, you would be right! Nom.

  

Glitter

I should be a magpie. I am drawn to anything sparkly and glittery. It is just so beautiful!

I don't use glitter in the Spring or Summer so, I rejoice and get a tad excited this time of the year when I ''get them out'' again.

I have two drawers of the stuff that I have collected over the years.

M.A.C glitter and M.A.C reflects glitter are my favourites, without a doubt.

Reflects pearl is the most used glitter I own (bottom far right of the photo).

Glitter can be worn by everyone. In a subtle way or a not so subtle way.

Just looking at this photo is conjuring up images of snow, ice, snow queens, ice queens, festive frolics, parties, glamour and fun. They are all things I'm lovin'!

Seinfeld.

Good ole Seinfeld. If Americans do one thing good...it's sitcoms.

I used to watch this yonks ago but, after seeing it again recently on Sky Atlantic, it reignited my love for this show. I could watch George all day long. I love George. George is my favourite.

I am particularly loving episode '9.18 The Frogger' at the moment. 

Are you a Seinfeld fan? If not, ''You can stuff your sorries in a sack, mister!''. 

My Bunny Scarf

Check out my latest purchase. It is a scarf with bunnies wearing funky glasses on! Cool huh? There's something you don't see everyday.

To add to the joy this gives me, it was a bargain from Primark.

Keeping your chest warm whilst ''rocking the bunny trend''...I am in.

Fluffy scarves make me feel too hot, the fluff migrates into my eyeballs (that fluff gets everywhere) and generally annoy me.

This one offers me less warmth, less fluff in eyeballs and less annoyance, now that's specs appeal!

Yankee Candles

These are the creme de la creme of the 'Candle World' (not a real world by the way).

They smell exactly like they claim to. These candles ooze the most warm, fragrant and rich aroma. Never failing make me feel all cosy, relaxed and festive.

I am currently burning 'Merry Marshmallow' and 'Christmas Cookie'. 

I just wish they weren't so darn expensive so I could buy all of them (or at least more than two!).

So, a bit of an eclectic mix of things I'm loving at the mo but, it may give you a bit of an insight into what type of things I like (besides make-up!).

What are you guys loving this month? 

Let me know in the comment box below.

Jude xx

My Top 5 Pink Lipsticks...

The final installment of my 'Top 5' lipsticks is here. My favourite shade to wear...pinks!

Pinks can be very bold or very subtle, both ooze femininity and look really pretty against all skin tones and hair colours. Pink, pink to make the boys wink, and all that...

I did not purposely choose the majority of these be M.A.C, but M.A.C do amazing pinks and I have collected these over a period of years.

(L-R) 'M.A.C Please Me', 'M.A.C Saint Germain', 'Revlon Strawberry Shortcake', 'M.A.C Angel' and 'M.A.C Girl About Town'.

M.A.C Please Me (Matte) £15.

Please Me is one of M.A.C's underrated pink shades. It is a really wearable light-medium pink shade with neutral undertones.. Pink but not bright and matte but not drying (more semi-matte). 

This is one of M.A.C's better matte formula's, it has a creamy feel and is not as flat as other matte shades. I am also happy to announce that this is a permanent shade.

I like to wear this in the daytime with minimal eye make-up. I would also refer to this as a 'Ylbb' lipstick, which translates as 'Your lips but better!'.

Rimmel's 'Rose Blush 810' is a really close dupe for this. The formulation is different, however. The Rimmel one is part of the moisture renew line , so it doesn't have a matte finish, but you may prefer that!

M.A.C Saint Germain (Amplified) £15.

Saint Germain is not for the faint hearted. A bright pale pink that is blue-based. It almost looks like a lilac pink. This wouldn't look out of place on Nicki Minaj's smackers! 

It is an 'Amplified' formula, which are M.A.C'S more daring and unique shades. The formulation of this is similar to a 'lustre' finish with more opaqueness. I said it was unique! 

I saw this on one of M.A.C sales assistants years ago and bought it straight away.

It's a lot of fun, but certainly not for everyone as it can be difficult to pull off!

Revlon colorburst lip butter Strawberry Shortcake £7.99.

A blue-based cotton candy pink. Ultra girly and ultra moisturising, the much hyped Revlon lip butters certainly deliver a number of benefits while managing to provide a medium coverage. Packed with a number of lip conditioning ingredients and a mid range price tag, strawberry shortcake had to make my top 5.

There is no scent to this, which I don't mind. The packaging is pretty nice too.

I consider this as one of my favourite pinks mainly due to it's finish and the lovely pale pink tone. It looks quite shimmery when applied and the colour is beautiful. 

Again, it is an added bonus that no lip balm or lip gloss are needed with this!

M.A.C Angel (Frost) £15.

Ahhh, the infamous 'Angel'. I am pretty sure this is M.A.C's best selling lipstick. Probably something to do with the fact that Kim Kardashian wears it (not the reason I bought it!).

This a fantastic pink shade, perfect for day or night. I tend to pair this with warm smokey eyes rather than using a nude lipstick. It looks really nice with played up eyes.

If you are looking for a pink lipstick, I'd recommend this. It is my 'go to' shade as it goes with everything, it is moisturising and works really well with my fair skin tone.

If this is too pricey for you (it is expensive!) I found a good dupe for it. Revlon lipstick in '002 Pink Pout'. Pink Pout is very similar to Angel, but with more of a matte finish. It is also half the price of 'Angel' coming in at £7.49. So, that is worth checking out.

M.A.C Girl About Town (Amplified) £15.

Last and certainly not least...my absolute all time favourite pink lipstick. This was the first ever M.A.C lipstick I bought and it is still my favourite.

It is known that Cheryl Cole wears this shade and I bought it after seeing it on her on the X-factor years ago! She has completely different colouring to me, but it still compliments fair skin tones and blonde's just as well.

This is another lipstick from the 'Amplified' line. Loud, vibrant, sexy, bold and striking. I am a big fan of M.A.C's amplified lipsticks. The unique shade choice, the formulation and opaqueness of them are phenomenal.

If this is too pricey for you, I have some good news...I know of a VERY good dupe for this. Go to your nearest Rimmel stand and pick up 'Funtime Fuchsia'. It is almost identical (I own this too!) The Rimmel one comes in at £6.49, so it's much cheaper!

So that's it. My top 5 series is complete. I didn't mean for this post to be so M.A.C heavy, but where possible I have mentioned good dupes or alternatives (aren't I good to you!?).

Do you own any of these shades?

What are your favourite pink shades?

Let me know your favourites in the comment box.

Jude x x