What Lyd Did

Considering I blog about beauty and own an Alex drawer tower full of the stuff, I've always kept it pretty minimal, and lately I've dialled it back even more. My makeup ethos is very simple: I just want it to make the best of what I've got going on, and be able to throw it on in the passenger seat down the motorway.

Base

base base, buttery biscuit base...

A few years ago I found the MUA Illuminating foundation and fell in love Sadly it was discontinued before I could pick up another tube, so I've been mixing it with the IT Cosmetics CC+ cream (full review here), which seems to run out quickly. Not only does this combination mean I'm using them both sparingly, it creates a base I bloomin' love.

You might have seen in my full review that I didn't love the application of the CC+, so adding in the MUA foundation adds even more glow and loosens it up a little so it goes on perfectly and wears really well for the rest of the day. The CC+ is also great to bring yellow tones and skincare benefits to the foundation, which leans very pink. They really are a dream team.

I'm still looking for the perfect concealer, but I've been dabbing on some of the Revolution Conceal + Define*, and IT Bye Bye Undereye in the meantime. Both are good coverage and good for brightening my undereyes, but I need something a touch darker for my face.

My skin is drier than a stale Ryvita, so I rarely use powder, but when I do it's been the Miss Sporty So Matte* one. I picked it up on a whim but actually really like it. It adds a blurring effect to my undereyes without making my skin look dusty.

Blush

The Bourjois creme blush in 04 has been a firm fixture this month. I feel like I can be very precise with the cream-to-powder formula and keep it right on the apples of my cheeks, away from my acne scarring. I've given up on bronzer as I find that it just never sits right on that scarring and makes it look even worse, so a touch of blush has helped me not to look too pale. The cute compact makes me feel very fancy too, which is always a bonus.

Highlight

To detract attention from my pesky problem areas, and make my face look overall very healthy and glowy, I've been a bit of a highlight ho lately, sweeping the peach shade from the Sleek Solstice palette* on my cheekbones, cupid's bow, and inner corners. I've also embraced the power of the under brow highlight, and have either used the lemon shade from the palette or an Essence matte pale pink highlighting crayon to lift those furry bad boys.

Eyes

My Natural Collection bronzer hasn't completely left my makeup bag. I use it in place of eyeshadow, haphazardly dusting it on the lid, crease, and undereye to add warmth and definition. If I'm feeling fancy I'll add a swipe of the Primark rose gold glitter cream, then I always finish the look with the Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara. It's a bit of a bugger, because it smears under my eyes during the day yet requires intense cleansing to properly come off, but I do like the twisty brush and the effect it gives.

Lips

I've got liquid lipsticks a plenty, I've got liners and glosses galore, but do I use them? Do I heck, I stick on some sort of nude or pink tinted balm every damn day. I really enjoy Revlon's Peach Parfait, or sometimes I really push the boat out and apply a rough swipe of Topshop's Brighton Rock, a bright pink, smoosh it out, then blot off the excess.

a palette containing pinks, reds, browns, and greys on the left, and photographs of pink eyeshadow and brown eyeshadow on a brown eye on the right

It occurred to me this year that I own far too much makeup, so I drastically cut down on how much I was buying. Gone are the weekly impulse buys, and in their place I'm making it my mission to work through what I already own. I decided that a good way to do that would be to challenge myself to use my eyeshadow palettes in new and different ways rather than sticking to the same colours and techniques, and maybe encourage you to make the most of your collection too.

First up is the Revolution New-trals vs Neutrals* palette, which I was very kindly given for Christmas by my friend and fellow blogger Kiah. I'm so glad she picked this out for me, as it's not something I would have thought to try. When I first open the palette my eyes register the darker, coolder shades and I'm scared off, but actually it contains a golden highlight, some pink, copper, and mauve foil-like shimmers, and some unusual shades like a coral and a raspberry. All the eyeshadows are vegan and cruelty free, and the palette has a double sided brush and full size mirror.

close up of the Revolution Newtrals vs Neutrals palette with shade names added

left: brown smoky eye look on a brown eye. right: pink halo eye look on a brown eye

With the title as my inspiration, I created a neutral brown eye using the matte transition shades, which formed the base of both looks. I tried to keep the shape of this one pulled to the side for a more sultry look, hence why my eyes look completely different shapes!

Let's be real, the pink shadows are the star of this show. Pinks may be my favourite to wear and Revolution have definitely delivered. Even the darkest shade is a black with pink sparkles through it.

For this halo-y eye I used the neutral mattes to create a base then packed that beautiful deep pink, Tone, onto the outer and inner corners. This might be my favourite colour from the whole palette because it's something I would expect to see from ABH or high end brands yet it has a drugstore price point. Tone does take a little building up, but nothing too bad, and it doesn't stain my skin.

In the centre of the eye I patted the shimmery pink shades, Personal and Style. Style is one of the metallic, foiled shades and I find that these work best with the natural oils of the fingers or a brush dampened with setting spray.

Which look would you wear?

*affiliate link. Please consider shopping through it, I earn a few pennies.

Silver tubes of IT Cosmetics CC cream on a blue floral background

Not to get all Love Island circa 2017 on you, but the IT Cosmetics CC +cream* is 100% my type on paper. Promising 'your skin but better' thanks to high quality, complexion perfecting ingredients and a formula partly developed by plastic surgeons, it was easy for me to see why this cream caused such a splash in the beauty community.

What drew me in was the idea that the cream isn't just a cover up, but a product to really benefit the skin. The pigment and colour correctors are held in a hydrating serum base with an SPF50 to protect from dryness and damage, keeping it looking and feeling healthy. IT Cosmetics describe it as 'your only step!', replacing a full routine of moisturiser, SPF, primer and base, and while I still prefer to use an SPF under this for full days outdoors, I do agree that it's a quick all-in-one product that works well for speedy makeup or travel. Even the flexible tube and built-in pump make it ideal for throwing in your bag without a worry.

A grid showing before and after applying the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Underye and CC Cream to blemishes

Now, let's talk about why we're only a perfect match on paper. I have dry, blemished skin, and I love quick, natural glowy makeup. A great match, right? Not quite. My main issue lies with application, and I'm aware that it could be my Sahara-like skin rather than the cream, but they just don't mesh well together and blending takes quite a bit of work.

IT Cosmetics recommend using a brush, but I found it seemed to move the product around and leave it sat on my skin with some streaking. I prefer the finish a beauty sponge gives, but it does get soaked up more than my other bases, which isn't ideal when it retails for £30!

Despite being moisturising, the cream looks almost powdery on first application, but as the day goes on I like it more and more. In fact, this is where I did start to agree with the 'your skin but better' claims. I was eager to see how the full coverage and colour correcting claims fared against my infamous acne scars, and the cream's performance pleasantly surprised me. While no base can completely cover the texture and pigmentation, I liked that the illuminated finish of this CC cream deflected the light and diffused the blemishes.

A black tube of It Cosmetics bye bye undereye with silver writing

IT cosmetics swatches on the back of my hand. Very light, light, and medium shades of beige.

To boost the coverage, I added some of their Bye Bye Under Eye concealer*, a super thick cream that works best for me when dabbed on in the tiniest amounts, too much and it remains sticky and takes off the CC cream. Again, this is formulated to flatter and benefit, so it moves with the skin and gives a brightened, hydrated finish to the under eye that does settle a tad on me but doesn't cake.

I have the shade Light which is oddly much paler than both the Light and Fair CC creams. It would be great to see the shade range for both products expand, as they currently offer just 6 or 7 and therefore not fully inclusive.

The thing I liked most about these products is that I didn't have to sacrifice coverage for finish. Ordinarily, the higher the coverage and thicker the product, the drier it is on my skin. I really enjoy how well they wear on my skin, even preferring the CC cream at the end of the day to the start, but that initial wear and application struggle is really what holds me back from reaching for it every day or joining the rave reviewers. If your skin type is normal, and clearer than mine, then this could be the cream for you.

Have you tried IT Cosmetics?

*products were gifted in exchange for honest review.

a black tube of bye bye undereye concealer on a blue floral background with a white textbox containing the post title

Despite opting for natural makeup on a day to day basis, there's something within me that just cannot resist the glittery goodies that have been trickling into the makeup market. From liquid eyeshadows and lip toppers to highlighters saturated with sparkle, this magpie wants it all. I know that glitter would act like a neon sign pointing to my crooked teeth and scarred skin, so I've chosen to keep the twinkle on my eyes only with four products I've picked up recently.

swatches of a gold and silver glitter, rose gold cream, and multicoloured glitters on a white arm

Barry M Glitter Bomb

I thought I'd found a Stila dupe before, but this is even closer. I have mine in the shade 'Oh Snap', which consists of tiny gold shimmer and larger silvery, holographic flecks suspended in a super light liquid. When I swatched this is store it was dense with glitter in one swipe but this must have been due to the sample drying out, as my tube does require lots of building or you can dab one coat over an eye look for a twinkly topper.

Topshop Chameleon Glows

These pressed pigments are one of the coolest and most unique products I've seen, and when the shades Wax and Wane and Changeling were on sale I had to snap them up. It's hard to even describe the colours because they shift with the slightest turn of the light (and even harder to photograph!). Wax and Wane is mostly purple and blue reflects in a warm base, whereas Changeling can appear peach one minute, then green, then golden, and blue! They make for a really interesting, high impact product that can be used on the face, over lipstick, or my favourite: in a bright eyeshadow look.

Primark Glitter Junkie Metallic Eye Pigment

'Glitter junkie' is definitely a bit of a fib here. At first squeeze this cream does look like it has holographic micro glitters, but somehow they disappear when applied to the lid. What's left behind is a foil effect wash of colour that can be built up to a beautiful, strong rose gold. £1 for 14ml of shiny goodness definitely deserves a shoutout- even if it's not quite as sparkly as its counterparts! Run to Primark now to grab this or the denim blue version.

How do you wear glitter?

Listen, I know I said that I don't like to travel, but that doesn't extend to staycations, and when this publishes I'll be sunning myself on the shores of Lake Windermere. In the past I've travelled with a huge bag of makeup, kidding myself that I'd pull off a perfect smoky eye every night, but I've learned from my mistakes and this time I went for quick picks that were guaranteed to work with my go-to look.

For base I took the Rimmel Lasting Finish foundation in Ivory. This is actually the first 'proper' foundation I bought, and years later I'm still really happy with it. I know that I can just blob it, blend it, and go. I also took my staple Collection concealer and the Makeup Revolution one.

To add colour I took more Rimmel products, in the form of their discontinued cream blushes in pop of pink, and cherry, which is my go to blush for pairing with red lips. They really should bring these back as I suspect they're a great dupe for Glossier cloud paint.

Finally for my face I took my Natural Collection bronzer, which doubled as eyeshadow, and I picked up a Miss Sporty powder compact. I grabbed it because it was cheap and reminded me of Polly Pocket cases, but it's actually a cracking little product!

I'm not too fussed about huge, false effect lashes during the day, but I did want something that would give a bit of oomph and stick around through rain or shine, and Clinique's High Impact made the cut.

For eyebrow taming I grabbed the Billion Dollar Brows Universal Pencil as it can be used for a minimal look or built up to be more dramatic. I actually find it quicker and easier to use a gel colour on an angled brush, but this takes up less room in my bag.

Since most of my makeup made for an easy, natural look, I went ham with the lip options to add a pop of colour. I took my favourite W7 liquid lipsticks in Chippie and Sinful, and the Makeup Geek plush matte lip in Beauty Queen, along with the Revlon lip butter in Peach Parfait for an easy nude option.

What makeup do you take away?

Some people swear by essential oils, and can reel off their recommendations for every malady or mishap. I'm certainly not that hardcore, but I have garnered a small collection, and thought I'd share the ways that I use them every day.

Skincare

Tea tree was the first essential oil I bought, after reading it was as effective as benzoyl peroxide. It's very easy to find, and is renowned for helping to clear the skin, due to its antibacterial properties. It's so handy to pop on to spots or skin irritations, but always be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut or almond!

Sometimes I add citrus or rosemary oils to a carrier oil and use it for a face massage when my skin is throwing a tantrum. Massaging boosts the circulation while the oil melts every speck of grime, and the essential oil makes my complexion brighter and clearer. As an added bonus, the scent makes the process smell like a spa treatment!

Diffusing

I love popping a few drops of citrus, lemon, or sweet orange oil in a cup and placing it on my radiator to scent my room as it evaporates. If you find candles too heavy or cloying, a straight oil is a much simpler, fresher, scent. I lean towards citrus for the aromatherapy benefits, as I find that they lift my mood a little.

Dropping mint essential oil in my shower tray is a go to trick when I have allergies, a cold, or a migraine. The scented steam really helps to clear my sinuses and allows me to breathe easily.

Ever since I was a little girl I've known that lavender is perfect for soothing to sleep. My mum used to put it on a handkerchief on my pillow to help me drift off. Less is more with this potent oil, it can be overpowering and headache-inducing, so start with a single drop then add more as needed.

Massage

If I'm stressed or slouched, my shoulders quickly stiffen up. To ease them, I mix black pepper oil into my moisturiser or shower gel and do my best to knead those knots. The oil is warming to the skin, and really helps to soothe the muscles.

Similarly, if my scalp has had all the dry shampoo it can take, I will add a drop of rosemary oil to my shampoo and thoroughly massage it. It boosts circulation, supposedly boosts hair growth, and makes me feel really refreshed.

- If in doubt, always dilute an essential oil before adding to the skin. Dilute even more for children.

- Make sure you purchase quality essential oils, not fragrance oils. I buy mine from Naissance.

- Be very careful using them in pregnancy and nursing, consult your midwife or doctor.

Do you use essential oils?

In blog world it can often seem like there's a new hype every week, with new releases and reviews aplenty. I often find that once the initial flurry of excitement has died down, the product is forgotten about, but these are the gems that have stood the test of time for me.

A copper palette with peach, lemon, lilac, and nude highlighters

Sleek Solstice Palette

I had seen those metallic, almost wet looking highlighters all over Instagram, but never thought they were for me until BubblyBex gifted me this palette, and now I reach for it every time I do full makeup! Not only is it a fantastic highlighting quad that far outweighs its price point, it makes for a great set to use in eye looks.

The palette has peach and lavender powders that are super high shine yet very finely milled, so they meld in with makeup beautifully. There is also a nude cream, and a lemon powder, both of which are a little more subtle but still as lovely.

a purple pan of bronzing powder (left), a bottle of clear topcoat (right)

Benefit Hoola bronzer

How can it be so hard to create the perfect brown powder? I do not know, but Benefit have done it. I truly didn't think that this simple bronzer could be worthy of the rave reviews, until I tried a sample and understood. The light, soft powder really is like a tan in a box. I just wish it was cruelty free!

Seche Vite topcoat*

Once this topcoat goes on, my nails are not coming off until I say so. It really does behave just like gel, only it doesn't require curing with a lamp or hours soaking off. You put it on almost-dry nails and it permeates the polish, drying everything down to a thick, high shine finish very quickly.

Lots of people say it shrinks the nail polish, which I haven't really experienced, but the formula also dries and becomes extremely thick in the bottle. I find that I can only use half before it's pretty much a solid lump. Considering it's £9 that becomes pretty expensive, but it's still much cheaper than salon manicures, and worth every penny.

a tube filled with lilac lipstick and patterned with black and silver designs

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

If there's one product saturating the market, it's liquid lipsticks, but they're just so hit and miss. Some are crusty, some are too creamy, it's a minefield out there. Kat Von D nailed it with her formula, which really flatters the lips, drying to a full matte finish yet somehow making the lips look pillowy plump, and only starting to feel a little tight after 3 hours or so.

I also love the packaging, wand, and shade range. There are lots of beautiful nudes with different undertones, as well as more bold, colourful shades. I have Requiem, a straight up lilac that I surprisingly adore, but I have heard that other shades can be patchy so do try to test in store.

*Amazon affiliate link
What's worth the hype for you?

A childhood memory that always sticks in my mind is from a family holiday to Llandudno. I was sat with my mum on a bench by the sea, when an elderly lady walked past, did a double take, and proceeded to tell my mum how lovely my hair colour was.

Without blowing my own trumpet, she was right. As a kid I was blessed with true auburn hair that shone a deep red in the sun, and I always loved that it was unusual. Sadly it's faded as I've gotten older, and I'm more dark chocolate than chestnut now. I've tried henna to revive the old colour, and it works beautifully but it's a right faff and grew out with obvious roots, and I've never wanted to put a traditional hair dye on it, so I resigned myself to no longer being a redhead.

Then my pal Alice, who has beautiful light ginger curls, posted a little Instagram video of how she peps up her colour with the Superdrug Colour Enhance in Ruby Red, and it shot to the shop of my shopping list. Side note: when I went to buy it, it was £5.99 for one bottle or £7 for two, but mine scanned as £3.15 for the pair, and I can't not gloat about that.

As the name suggests, this is not a dye as such, more of a coloured treatment. It's also available in shades to warm or cool blonde tones, and one to boost brunettes. In my experience, it works brilliantly both at enhancing both the colour and the condition of the hair, thanks to the cranberry and pomegranate extracts. It doesn't feel heavy or greasy, but my hair is noticeably softer, shinier, and sweetly scented after using this, and I would continue to use it even if it didn't tint my hair.

Luckily though, it does! The directions say to leave it on washed hair for 5-30 minutes then rinse, and the colour will last 3 to 6 washes. I have used it with every wash for the past 4 washes, and noticed it gradually getting redder every time. It doesn't contain lightening agents, so the darker your hair, the more subtle its effects will be.

This is the perfect product for me. It allows me to step back to my copper top glory without worrying about roots or patchiness, and it has the added bonus of leaving my hair feeling and smelling dreamy. Although Superdrug advise wearing gloves, I don't, and it doesn't even stain my hands, skin, or bathroom. I have thick hair a few inches below my shoulders, and I'd say that one bottle lasts 6 or 7 uses, so it's great value, and as with all Superdrug's own items, cruelty free. It ticks every box, and I seriously owe Alice one for putting it in my life.

Do you colour your hair?

I've told the ~~boring story~~ epic tale of my quest for a pink eyeshadow before, in my review of a Modern Renaissance palette dupe, but before I found that palette, I decided to create a custom palette to add to my Makeup Geek collection. If I ever decide to do that again, someone please stop me, because I'm £45 down and still not satisfied.

a palette with 18 pink, cream, purple, and orange eyeshadows

I spent days sifting through swatches and reviews to compose my perfect palette, and this isn't it. I thought I'd be reaching for it every day but actually, I didn't plan it out very well at all. There are lots of shades very similar to one another, some shades are much cooler than I expected, and I should have added another brown and a cream for pulling looks together. I could have bought a much better collection from Makeup Revolution for a fraction of the price.

However, they wouldn't have had the Makeup Geek formula that is raved about in every corner of the internet. Buttery, blendable, pigmented, and in a vast range of colours and finishes, it really is lovely. I'd especially recommend them to anyone who's not so confident with eyeshadow, as they're so easy to blend and build. If you have especially oily lids you'll need a great primer, as mine are moderately greasy and I find that the soft formula does fade and crease quickly, especially the foiled (f).

makeup geek pink and purple eyeshadow swatches

makeup geek cream and brown eyeshadow swatches

makeup geek orange and red eyeshadow swatches

Top: Confection, Whimsical (f), Petal Pusher, Corrupt, Cherry Cola

Middle: Shimma Shimma, Peach Smoothie, Creme Brulee, Grandstand (f), Barcelona Beach, Vintage

Bottom: Cinderella, Nostalgic (f), Cosmopolitan, Mango Tango, Coppering (MAC), Morocco

I especially love the blush pink Cupcake as it works for both warm and cool looks, and Peach Smoothie is also a great versatile shade. Cosmopolitan is another favourite for its golden/coral duochrome effect but it is pretty similar to Cinderella.

Nostalgia and Whimsical are almost identical, and these are shades I rarely reach for, as they are extremely icy pinky-lilac shades that appear almost white on the eye. In contrast, I was a little disappointed with Shimma Shimma as it doesn't give a strong, gleaming highlight.

a palette wrapped in mint green paper with 'whatlyddid' in copper foil letters

I've placed them all in a Freedom Makeup Pro magnetic palette, which is one of my best buys of all time. When most people think of storing single pans their minds go to Z-palettes, but to me they are so flimsy and overpriced, whereas Freedom have offered the polar opposite. The palette actually clicks safely shut and has a full sized mirror. I personalised mine with Pretty Gifted wrapping paper and sticky back plastic because I'm extra like that.

I don't hate the palette, and still enjoy using it, but it isn't what I had expected. Boots, Superdrug, or Debenhams really need to help us British girls out and start stocking Makeup Geek in stores so we can swatch for ourselves!

What shades would be in your perfect palette?

Bilou hit the stands a few years ago now, and always intrigued me with their shower foams, being one of the first brands to offer them. The range has now expanded, with a 2-in-1 moisturising, deodorising body spray*, and a cream foam body lotion* being added. As well as their unusual products, I've always been curious about their gourmand fragrances, which include Yummy Doughnut, Pink Melon, and the one I chose to try: Fizzy Berry.

The stand out element for both products is the scent, which is truly delicious. On first spritz it smells so fruity it's almost sour, like a Haribo Tangfastic. I can definitely smell juicy raspberry and lemons, and while it is lovely, I was a little concerned that the strong scent would stay on me. Happily, it dried down to a softer, sweeter scent, which reminds me of a fresh, delicious doughnut.

The 2-in-1 body spray was something I felt a little dubious of. Deodorants usually leave a dry, chalky feel on the skin whereas moisturisers are greasy, so I wouldn't ordinarily moisturise my underarms or deodorise my body. However, in the name of testing, I spritzed myself up and climbed a hill as fast as I could. Oh, the things I do for this blog.

I was pleasantly surprised at how it performed. A good sniff of the pits confirmed that I still smelled bakery fresh, thank goodness, and actually I hadn't detected any greasy feeling as I wore the spray. It did lie a little on the dry side like traditional deodorants, so I won't spray this on my body or clothes, but I'm really happy with how it kept me fresh and comfortable.

If you do want a scent for your whole body, this is where I would recommend the cream foam. It's cool and soothing to apply and sinks in really fast, leaving behind that super sweet scent that really does waft. I didn't find it overpowering, but you certainly wouldn't need a perfume over this.

Although it contains sweet almond and avocado oils, the moisturiser isn't very rich and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for deep hydration and nourishment, but it's ideal to use quickly before getting dressed in the morning.

Both products are fun and functional, but weren't necessarily the best in their categories. I was impressed that the spray had no alcohol and the cream foam used real plant oils, but the scent is their real selling point in my eyes. I'm okay with that, as it really is excellent. I love that Bilou have perfected both the sharp fruity scent and a warm doughnut fragrance, yet neither side is cloying or childish, and I'd be happy to buy the products just to enjoy them.

Have you tried Bilou?

*items were sent for review. This does not affect my opinion or honesty.

It's no secret that my skin is far from perfect. I am 'blessed' with scaly skin dotted with angry cysts, like a lumpy lizard. Mmm. Exfoliating it is a really important step in keeping it as happy as possible, and my favourite method is to gently exfoliate every day to prevent any dead skin building up.

One way I like to do this is by cleansing with a thick, nourishing cleanser, and removing it with a damp cloth. I had been using ordinary flannels but I noticed that my skin sometimes felt a little raw because the grains of the cloth are too large to use morning and night, every day.

Items in this post have been gifted in exchange for honest review.

I didn't want to give up my lovely, buttery cleansers, so it was clear that the flannels had to go, and in their place I've been using CloudCloths*. They're super soft on one side and very slightly grainy on the other, so the thick, durable cloth is perfect for removing all of your makeup and really getting into every corner, then gently buffing for a softer, brighter complexion. Use the soft side alone if your skin is sensitive, and if it feels especially congested simply apply a little more pressure and move in small circles for a deeper scrub on the areas that need it.

My only qualm with CloudCloths* is the size. I found them a little too small, as they don't drape over my whole face like a flannel would, so I do find it takes more effort to properly cleanse every bit of skin.

On the bright side, I realised that the smaller size and thickness of the cloths makes them ideal for creating homemade, reusable wipes. Just roll them in a freezer bag, add water or micellar water, and you have wipes that will clean messes from you and your children quickly and gently, then be tossed in the washer for next time. Swap ordinary water for micellar water and you have makeup remover wipes ready for the nights when you know you'll be too tired for a full cleanse!

How do you like to cleanse?

*items were gifted in exchange for review. This does not alter my opinions or honesty.

You might also like:

The Beauty Tag

What I Got For My Birthday

My Stila Collection

Linkwithin

I bang on about how important it is to shop small and support independent businesses, but it's also a good idea to buy from brands in your own country, too. It supports our economy and I'm sure the planet would thank us for sending less items whizzing halfway around it. With that in mind, I've curated a collection of British brands that offer some seriously beautiful products which won't take a month to arrive.

gold and black perfume bottles with gold crown shaped lids

Clive Christian

For a true taste (or sniff) of the best Britain has to offer, look no further than Clive Christian's Luxury perfumes for him & her. Even Our Liz agrees, awarding Clive himself an OBE for his services to the luxury goods industry. He rightly earned it, by creating a line of fragrances that ooze class and quality. They're made with the highest possible percentage of perfume oil for sublime scents that last on the skin.

Honeywell Bakes

Plenty of people have heard of Biscuiteers, who are fantastic, but I love Honeywell Bakes even more. A small team of bakers and decorators create the most stunning biscuits, from chic gold foil and marble designs to cute and punny animals. For a small company they have a big heart and really care. They offer vegan and gluten free options to cater to every customer, use local, free range eggs and dairy in their other products, and even have a Facebook group to guide amateur biscuit artists.

Alex Monroe

I've lusted over Alex's delicate, nature inspired jewellery for years! It's easy to see why these handmade pieces are celebrity favourites. There are so many charming items on offer, from crab earrings and dainty carriage necklaces to the most intricate twig inspired rings set with minute diamonds. They're classic and fun all at the same time, and have so much personality.

Cath Kidston

A brand we all know and love, Cath Kidston's designs are utterly iconic, and the topic of many a wishlist and gift guide. From handbags and clothes to homeware and children's items, I defy anyone to walk into a store without at least one thing catching their eye. I particularly admire the way that they move with the times, producing items that are current and modern while still staying true to classic Cath prints and themes.

Which British brands float your boat?
*This post is sponsored by Clive Christian, all views are my own.
**Product photographs taken from brand websites, they are not my property and credit belongs to respective brands.

We don't see many tags on blogs any more, and it's such a shame as they're often a great way to find out more about the blogger. Michala from And Honestly tagged me to do The Beauty Tag and I jumped right on it like a car bonnet.

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?
Who remembers 2True at superdrug? I had their dupe of Benetint! Much like Benefit's real deal, it made my lips look and feel burned, and would soak into my cheeks immediately, leaving bright pink streaks. Lush.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?
Benefit's They're Real and Rollerlash truly are the best mascaras I have ever tried. They both provide pitch black perfection and make my lashes look incredible in every way. I don't find that either flakes or smudges, which is my biggest pet peeve with mascaras. Maybelline mascaras are the closest budget friendly alternative, and I'm gutted that neither brand is cruelty free.

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from a foundation?
With my dry, lumpy skin, I feel that a light, dewy foundation like Bourjois Healthy Mix* makes my complexion look its healthiest and best. I have tonnes of purple acne scarring, and while heavy foundations cover the colour, they also highlight the texture, so I have to choose one or the other.

4. Favourite high end brand?
If Stila counts as high end, it's Stila. I just can't help but head to their stand every time I pass, and check out each new release. I even shared my full Stila collection here.

PIN IT

5. What cosmetics brands have you always wanted to try but still haven't?
Charlotte Tilbury, Cover Girl, Tarte, Pur

6. Favourite drugstore brand?
Ooh, that's a tough one. I think I'll say Makeup Revolution.

7. Do you wear false lashes?
In my dreams! I have a whole box but just cannot get the buggers down. They're like a seesaw, I can get one end stuck down properly or the other, never both.

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can't leave the house without?

Nope, I'm far too lazy to put it on every day.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?
I'm pretty precious about my Urban Decay x Basquiat Anatomy eyeliner.

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there, or get lots of goodies at once?
It used to be every time I walked past a shop, but now I'm drastically cutting down, and only want to buy items that need replacing, which should be 2-3 items every few months.

11. Do you have a "beauty budget" or do you spend freely?
Not gonna lie, I like my makeup as cheap as possible. I would say £8 is my top limit for drugstore items.

12. Do you utilise coupons, reward cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?
Yes! Although I'm not sure why, since you have to spend hundreds to really reap the rewards. I think I earn about £1.27 a year in points.

13. What type of product do you buy the most of?
Lip products! The main purpose of a lipstick is the colour, and you can see straight away what you're getting, whereas mascaras and face products seem more boring to buy, and can disappoint. I like to research those rather than impulse buying.

14. Is there a brand you absolutely can't stand?
Bitch Slap Cosmetics. Call me a prude, but I just don't see any need for their vulgar items, and I think their products are more for shock value than quality.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics, like parabens or sulfates?
Even reading the words 'sodium laureth sulfate' makes my face feel drier than a desert.

a picture of makeup items like brushes, palette, lipstick, overlaid with black and pink 'the beauty tag' text

16. Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup?
I really like the layout and atmosphere in Superdug, I find the staff are friendly. I do like to check out international brands on Beauty Bay too.

17. Do you like trying new skin care products or do you keep a certain routine?
I'm happy to try out new products as long as they fit with my routine of greasy cleanser, acid toner, nourishing oil.

18. Favourite bath and body brand?
I think this would have to be Superdrug again! I really love shower gels, and they offer a huge variety under their own brand, which are all cruelty free and cheap as chips.

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?
TAM Beauty/Makeup Revolution. They produce so many high quality dupes, I'd never miss out!

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

I love Kat Von D's, not because I'm into the gothic style myself, but just because it's so different. It's not plain but nor is it pink and pretty. Speaking of pretty though, I do love Charlotte Tilbury's luxurious rose gold and burgundy theme.

21. Which celebrity always have great makeup?
Tough question! The first thing that came to mind was Hollywood glamour where celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe must have been wearing tonnes for the cameras, but still looked fresh, youthful, and pretty. It was makeup that really enhanced their beauty.

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

Nope, it would make me want to buy too much stuff! I read tonnes of beauty blogs, though.

23. 5 Favourite beauty gurus
James Charles, Raw Beauty Kristi, Patricia Bright, MakeupJunkieG, and The Anna Edit are my faves right now!

24. Do you like multi-functional products like lip and cheek stains?
Only the Stila convertible colours.

25. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Let's just say there's a reason I never wear liquid liner.

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?
Not always, but I do find that they make a difference in blending and longevity.

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?
Normally just my trusty Faith In Nature shampoo!

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?
Foundation. Otherwise the concealer seems to sweep away.

29. Would you ever consider taking makeup classes?
No, the freckles and texture in my skin mean that I don't fit the mould and I kind of have to do my own thing.

30. What do you love about makeup?
I actually really like how it bonds people. You might have next to nothing in common with someone, but there are lots of ladies (and lads!) who could talk about the lightest powders they've found, their opinions on the latest foundation launch, and their best beauty bargains.

I tag:
Danielle
Jessi
Antonia
and anyone else who wants a go!

*affiliate link- shopping through this means I earn a few pennies.

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