NYC SUNNY BRONZER

Being quite fair skinned (until a holiday or the sun comes out - then I tan sooo easily, which I guess is rather lucky) and a fake-tan fearer, I try to get the faux glow going on with the help of bronzer, and my collection is pretty much brimming. Nars Laguna is 100% my favourite, but as I have hit pan on that I've gone back to the trusty NYC Sunny Bronzer. 

What I love about this is that it is extremely budget, I got it in the USA for the equivalent of about £1.50, which is a total bargain, and you get quite a decent amount (and a mirror) for that price. For me, the colour is a little too intense on pale skin, so the Real Techniques Duo Fibre brush comes in rather handy to get a light amount, however when I'm tanned, this is a pretty good colour, and I find it looks best when I've already got some colour in me.

It's almost totally matte, which is what I love, as although it is becoming more popular among drugstore brands, finding a matte bronzer used to be extremely difficult on a budget. I still wouldn't use this for contour and the colour is still a bit too orange for that on my skin, but it might work well on others.

If you can get your hands on this, I totally recommend it, as it doesn't break the bank either, and try out your preference with it. At the moment for me, it's a light handed affair, but I'm hoping as the sun comes out a can pick up a brush that's a little more dense....

THREE NEW CHEEK PRODUCTS

While in America I had a bit of a spending spree in CVS as well as having a browse and small purchase in Sephora. When I got home I realised my collection of cheek products had grown a little, some high end some drugstore, and I haven't actually used anything else since.

The first I got was the NXY Cream Blush in Natural. I really like the texture of these, they don't get to a powder and they are almost a little tacky to apply, so they look so natural and radiant. The colour is perfect for me too - blush often looks a little cray on me so I tend to go for the subtle offerings.

I managed to find the hyped NYC Sunny Bronzer for a minute price so picked it up right away. I like this one because it's entirely matte - something that goes quite hard to find in the drugstore, and it's also a really nice warm tone. Just go light handed with a duo fibre brush or something because it is pretty pigmented.

The final one is the Nars Laguna and Orgasm duo. I was eyeing this up for a while and I am glad I got it. The blush is similar to one I have from Sleek, just a little less in your face, and the bronzer is a lot more subtle than the NYC offering for me, just because it's slightly cooler (only just). This was $24 and I think it was pretty well spent.

LIP COLOURS FOR SPRING

When Spring comes around, I gain a little more confidence in the lip product department, and go for things that aren't nudes and neutrals. I don't go full out with the bold brights by any means (they are saved for summer), but the more balmy, hint-of-tint offerings are well used in my stash at this time of year.

The Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart is one of my favourites of the bunch, as not only do I love the stunning medium pink colour, but the texture of this is amazing, its a thick, balmy, nourishing consistency which makes application a dream, and so a purchase of a few more in the range is on the cards.
One that is more of a lipstick than a balmy product is the Rimmel Kate Lipstick in 16 which is a peachy coral colour, with a finish that is nor glossy or matte, which makes it a little more suitable for the season.

The L'Oréal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Aphrodite Scarlet is another favourite, which is a no-frills pink that finishes off a look in a swipe. Think, the Revlon Lip Butter, but with a slightly less pigmented look on the lips.
Another balm is the NYC Apple-licious Lip Balm in Apple Blueberry Pie, which is slightly more purple than the other bright pinks I go for but I have really been enjoying it recently - and I must add the apple taste and scent makes it even better.

Finally, one that I hated for such a long time but recently got into using is the GOSH Soft n' Shine Lip Balm in Irony, which is a slightly peachy orange. I normally have issues with oranges suiting me, but if I apply this one by tapping it on with fingers (the actual product is rather smooshed anyway), it doesn't look all that bad.

Writing this is making me want to scour the aisles of Boots to find some more brights in preparation for the warmer weather that everyone is hoping we'll be getting this year...

NYC AppleLicious Lip Balm Review - Apple Blueberry Pie

Hi guys!

A few weeks ago, the pound shops had been stocking up on some quality products. I don't always like to buy things from the discount/pound shops, because I feel like I am being very cheap/tight to not buy anything from actual shops, but if it is quality products and I am making a saving, I am more than happy to.

I found a duo set in there, of 2 NYC Products. One was a waterproof liner pencil, and the other was this, AppleLicious Glossy Lip Balm in the shade Apple Blueberry Pie. I was then later informed that this is a shade not available in the UK (I think), which was even better!

You may realise, I have made a collage for this product. You may have also noticed that Megan made a collage for her recent blog post! I promise I am not copying, there is literally no explanation other than the fact that I think we are telepathic. 

I love the fact that this has a little apple on it, in a different colour, but when you apply it, it slightly fades but not completely. The packaging is cute too, pink with silver shimmer in it, and silver writing.They even replaced the 'o' with an apple!

I put the pictures on again, in full just so you could see a little closer. I am very proud of how these pictures turned out actually! If you think I have used too many pictures, let me know, or maybe you prefer it this way?

The product itself is quite sheer and balmy, but you can get a nice colour payoff with this, it is very versatile. I love the colour, a slightly shimmery, blue-pink/almost purple-ish colour, and I have been wearing this so much recently! It is very moisturising and nourishing on the lips too, despite having some shimmer, as sometimes that can leave a gritty feeling on the lips. I seriously adore the smell of this too, it is slightly 'artificially', apple smelling, but you can't help but love it, artificial or not. 

Have you tried any of these balms from NYC? I really want to get my hands on some more, and they are super affordable too, only £2.49 a pop, which is great!

Thanks for reading guys, 

Lauren x