#43 The Perfect Pout

Hello!

Today I'm talking lips (again) although this time it's all about the preparation. As you may well know by now, I am forever reaching for the lipstick so it's important that I give my lips lots of loving. I don't usually have dry lips, especially once winter is out the way but recently they've taken a turn for the worst. I'm not sure what's caused it but my lips and the area just below are so sore! So, I've been using my LUSH lip scrub and NUXE lip balm religiously and I've really noticed a difference.

At £5.50 this scrub works wonders without breaking the bank. I also have this scrub in bubblegum which tastes soooo good- not that they were made for eating... In the morning I prefer to use these scrubs before I cleanse and in the evening once I've taken my make up off and again, before I cleanse. Although I think this scrub works wonders, I don't really like getting it on my skin as I feel like the sugar ain't gonna' do no good, although it's most probably fine!

Once I've finished scrubbing away I've been using this beauty. At £9.50 it's slightly more expensive but it's still not too unreasonable for something that works so well. As you can tell from the image above I've really been going for it with this one, it literally works wonders. It feels stickier than a cream or typical balm and has quite a thick consistency which I didn't expect to be honest, but it feels so nourishing on the lips. I usually use this just before I get into bed or whilst I am doing my hair or make up before I get to the lips.

As a combination these two work so well with each other, I seriously cannot get enough of the lip balm, it's heavenly. As the actual skin below my lip has also been bad I've also invested in some antiseptic cream, but my lips themselves are feeling so much better!

What are your go to products for your lips?

Becmo xo 

(Excuse the quality of these photos, for some reason they look so dark on here in comparison to iPhoto and I couldn't fix it!)

#42 The Fantastic Four

Afternoon! 

Two posts in two days, wild I know. Now that my degree is well and truly over *cry cry* I've got a lot more free time to put together all these posts I've been saving for the past couple of months. Today I will be talking lips in the form of MAC Lipsticks. I have a tiny tiny collection compared to a lot of people but I am sure that it will expand slowly but surely.

Lets get down to business... 

These are my current babies (Shy Girl, Brave, Dubonnet and Diva) aren't they beautiful?

You'll have to excuse the state of 'Diva', the lip brush has taken a particular liking to that one.

1. Shy Girl   2. Brave   3. Dubonnet   4. Diva

1. Shy Girl (Cremesheen)

I'm a big fan of lipstick and feel bare when I don't have any on, so this shade is perfect for a natural looking pout. This shade appears quite peachy in these photos but when applied to the lip it is a very translucent nude. It's formula (cremesheen) is very smooth and dewy so it doesn't dry lips, but it does mean that it doesn't have the greatest lasting power. Another slight downfall for the product is that it can cling to any dry patches on the lips, so make sure you give them a good scrub and some loving before applying it. I usually wear this shade with a smokey eye and peachy cheeks. Oh, that reminds me, as I am naturally very pale it was hard to find a shade that wouldn't wash me out, but this works wonders. So for any fellow pale girls out there, this is for you.

2. Brave (Satin)

 Whilst on the hunt for the perfect nude I also came across this beauty. This shade is just so bloody pretty. I wouldn't say it's as pink as the image above might suggest but it's not far off. When it's applied to the lips it gives a lovely fresh, pretty finish to any look. It's perfect for summer and can be worn with both light or heavy eye make up- seriously whats not to like? Although I am usually a bold lip lover, this shade has stolen my heart a little.

3. Dubonnet (Amplified Creme)

Now onto my much loved bold shades. If you're looking for a deep, wine inspired colour then this is the one for you. I tend to use a lip brush to apply this one so that I can build up the shade depending on how dark I want it, saying that it looks great applied straight from the tube also. This product has great lasting power and the formula ensures that it doesn't dry out lips either, bonus. My favourite way to wear this is with winged liner and a fresh, dewy complexion as it reall`y makes the colour pop. 

4. Diva (Matte)

Last but not least is another bold shade, similar to Dubonnet but slightly darker with a different finish. Diva has a matte finish, so it's important to scrub lips beforehand and then I find it best to apply the product with a lip brush (hence all the messy marks oops). Because of it's finish, this product can be quite drying on the lips but if lips are prepared well it gives an amazing finish that lasts for hours. Matte lips always make a statement to any make up look, which is what I particularly love about this product. Typically suited for winter, this shade can look great during the summer alongside a dewy complexion and minimal eye make up. The other great thing about a matte finish is that you can leave it as it is, or top it off with a lipgloss to transform it completely giving you the best of both worlds.

So that's it! I love hearing about people's lip collections so I hope you enjoyed this post. What is your favourite lip colour?

I'll be back soon! 

Becmo xo 

#41 Tan Trickery

Hello, me again! 

Today's post is for all the pale girls out there (much like myself). As soon as the sun is out there is nothing I love more than getting my legs out in a nice summer dress or the standard denim shorts BUT (and this is a big but) I am often put off by doing so as I don't want to bare my pale legs to the world. This is where my beloved gradual tan comes in. I've been using gradual tan on and off for years now, usually opting for Dove or Garnier, that was until I tried out this baby.

This gradual tan beats all others, it's easy to apply and long lasting- what more would you want? The only downside is the price tag, it's nearly 3 times the amount of a 'drug store' brand but it's worth the extra cost, trust me. After just one application my skin was noticeably darker and I didn't need to apply another layer for a good few days. I'd also like to point out that this tan is NOT orange, instead it creates an even olive tone. Unlike other tans I haven't noticed any colour flaking off or any areas becoming patchy. However, I do recommend applying this product in the evening and having a shower in the morning to get rid of any excess lotion to avoid any patches. 

How I apply it:

I shower in the morning making sure I exfoliate well
I usually apply the tan in the evening or just before I go to bed (bare in mind it takes about 10 minutes for skin to feel dry)
I then make sure I shower in the morning to get rid of any excess lotion

It's also important to moisturise any dry areas (elbows, knees etc.) before and between applications to keep your tan looking patch free.

So, if you're looking for a quick tanning fix that isn't going to break the bank then what are you waiting for? Go and stock up on this gem.

Until next time,

Becmo xo

#40 Lookbook Details || Shorts & Sleeves

Good Morning! 

So as you all know by now, I am a little obsessed with wearing black. Maybe too obsessed. But fear not, recently I've managed to inject some colour into my wardrobe. No, seriously, shocker I know! I've picked up a couple of things from ASOS and gone a little OTT in H&M so I will fill you in on that soon.

But today is all about the standard black and white combo...

I recently bought these shorts from River Island and fell in love straight away. They are simply beautiful. You can dress them up, wear them casually or they can look smart, so I couldn't not buy them. They also come with a belt, seriously what's not to like? However, they are quite on the big side so if you're considering purchasing them online I would recommend getting a size smaller than usual. Another slight downfall, which you can kind of expect with anything white, is that they are quite see through. So make wise underwear choices ladies.

Isn't this arch just the cutest!

I teamed the shorts with this black Primark blouse that I've had for ages, and wore it unbuttoned to add a casual, summery touch. The shoes are also Primark and again, they add a summery, sophisticated vibe without looking too dressy. Although the heel is short, when going to Uni etc. I opt for my Topshop Chelsea boots as they are a little more casual. Then I finished it off with my hat, also from River Island (I can't get enough of it, as you're probably beginning to tell!) and the obligatory sunglasses which are from Urban Outfitters. To give the outfit a little (may I exaggerate little) bit of colour I wore my Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday (at least I THINK that's the right shade) and a turquoise ring that I bought a while back from Camden Market.

I've also uploaded this look to my Lookbook page, so feel free to check that out. Also, if you're on Bloglovin' I'm on there too. You can follow me by clicking the icon in the toolbar on the right, or by clicking here. 

I'll be back soon, hopefully with a nice colourful haul or a lip related post, I haven't quite decided yet. 

Have a lovely day! 

Becmo xo

Photo credits: Matt Flynn