Matte lips - the Bourjois edition

Bottom right is actually a Color Boost pencil which I'll review separately.

Greetings Sparkles!!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter Sunday, but perhaps after the chocolate overload you'd like to perfect your pout today in order to dissuade yourself from ruining it with more morsels of delicious temptation.

In that case, look no further than your local Bourjois stand to achieve the 90s matte lip look which we saw all over the recent fashion shows. For those of you on Instagram you'll have seen that I received a selection of surplus testers from my sister's pal who works in a UK high street pharmacy chain. Unsponsored, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth - some of those items I already own in a different colour, others will be entirely new.

What's in my make-up bag today?

Morning Sparkles!

I've been chilling out in Ireland this week with the family and operating on a reduced make-up selection given some rather last minute packing at Casa Josephine.

The look to the right has featured almost daily (mostly minus the double vision effect, other than on a slightly longer than anticipated evening in Dublin last week, I'm sure).

So, here's what I've been surviving on (not really a very small kit and caboodle but all fits very neatly in my little Illamasqua cosmetic bag - quite impressive effort from me there)...

Product review: L'Oreal Color Riche Quad (Nude Lingerie)

Holla, Beauty Addicts!!

Hope your Hump-day is going gloriously and you're able to see more sunshine than I can manage out the back end of our lovely building. Even if you can't, my latest High Street find will give you eyelids that glimmer and glisten as if you're sunbathing in St Tropez.

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Quad Eyeshadow
E2 Nude Lingerie

I picked this little beauty up in an emergency on the weekend (I had forgotten to bring my make-up bag on an overnight with me...unheard of!) So had to make an emergency pit-stop at Boots, Euston Station for some eye products. I'd got a bunch of skin stuff knocking around my handbag...I can feel any admiration for my make-up organising skills draining fast.

Make-up: Getting Started series

Hello and happy Thursday, Beauty Addicts & Enthusiasts!

Some of my pals have been asking for tips or recommendations for what's worth the money, where you really "must have" something and when you can just short cut it. So if I had to work out of one make-up bag for the rest of the year (*shudder*) I guess these would be my picks:

      
1. Primer
2. Base
3. Concealer
4. Eyebrows!!!
5. Eyeliner
6. Mascara
7. Highlighter
8. Bronzer
9. Blush
10. Lips

This would be the absolute minimum bag for me - and to be honest I'd probably have to stuff at least six different eyeshadows in there too, but I'm trying really hard to keep this as back to basics. 

The piccie above is my current make-up bag, but I've left my bronzer in my mum's car and included some eyeshadows (anyone who knows me simply wouldn't believe I wasn't carting around 12 shadows)!

So I guess the next question is where you should spend your money and where you can economise - or indeed just find excellent little bargains on the high street rather than having to go to high end brands for everything. Note: it's not always a case of more is more when it comes to price tags! :)

I'd say spend money on your skin care, concealer, mascara and bronzer. Note: darker skin toned lovelies, do not assume that bronzer isn't going to be really great on your skin tone too, more likely you'll just have very similar issues to us pale and interesting types when it comes to finding the right colour. We. Do. Not. Want. ORANGE!!!!

Chanel Tan de Soleil (birthday treat to myself on Boots points - £31, but HUUUGE!!)

Over the course of the next week or so I'll be publishing guides to all the above items, with high end and budget buys that are currently in circulation within my make-up bag so you'll know I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I hope you find it helpful, pop any questions below!!

'Til next time kitty cats

xx Josephine xx