Anoushka Loves

Oh hello, another beautiful neutral palette! Did I really need another palette with a mixture of matte and shimmer shades? Well, no but I really wanted this beautiful palette filled with a mix of matte and shimmer shades. Look at it, its so beautiful. There has been a lot of love surrounding the Stila In The Light Palette, so it was natural that it would be coming to live at Anoushkas house.

The shades within the Stila In The Light Palette are just heavenly. Within the ten shades, you could create several daytime looks, darker evening looks and several different combinations of the classic smokey eye using the dark browns or even the sultry blue-grey.

Bare – matte ivory shade
Kitten – the iconic Stila shade
Bliss – matte beige pink
Sunset – shimmery canyon pink
Sandstone – matte light coco
Bubbly – pale gold shimmer
Gilded Gold – golden brown with shimmer
Luster – dark aubergine with gold shimmer
Night Sky – blue with shimmer
Ebony – black

The palette also contains a full size smudge stick in Damsel, which retails for £14 when purchased alone. Damsel is a warm matte brown, which is my favourite eyeliner shade of the moment. It glides on like a dream and stays on all day. It can be smudged into a sexy disheveled line or a perfect wing can be created with a steady hand.

The shadows are well pigmented and wear time is good. Although well pigmented, I find that the darker colours don’t have as much oomph when being being applied and that I need to add a tad more shadow to get the desired colour. I always apply the shadows over a primer or MAC Paint Pot. The paint pot certainly holds the shadows in place all day without creasing and smudging. Without using a primer, wear time is a lot less. Not a bad thing, but when colours are this beautiful, you want to see them all day long!

My only bad point about this palette is that the cardboard packaging isn’t holding up very well. Yes, my palette has probably clocked up more air miles lately than the average person, however 4 weeks after buying it, itis now showing signs of wear and tear and looks dirty and scuffed. I would have preferred to see it in a tin casing a la Naked palette, but that’s really just for my own personal travelling needs.

Overall, I’m in love. I’ve been reaching for it daily with no second thought to using any other palette. Why not pick up your own Stila In The Light Palette, £25. Its worth every penny!

Today is bringing a travel exclusive that will have you smelling delicious for your entire holiday or simply to add some prettiness to your dressing table. The latest Marc Jacobs Coffret includes the latest fragrance Honey as well as the classic Daisy, the summery Daisy Eau So Fresh as well as the darling Dot.

Daisy Eau So Fresh is a floral and fruity fragrance, with a medium wear time. Top notes are grapefruit, green notes, raspberry and pear; middle notes are jasmine, rose, violet, litchi and apple blossom; base notes are musk, virginia cedar and plum.

Dot is a floral-fruity fragrance withe exotic notes of coconut and vanilla. Top notes of honeysuckle, red berries and dragon fruit, heart notes of jasmine, orange blossom and coconut and base notes of musk, vanilla and driftwood.

Daisy is a floral-woody fragrance. Fresh and feminine, top notes of violet leaf, wild strawberry and blood grapefruit combine with heart notes of jasmine, gardenia and violet with base notes of white woods, vanilla and musk.

Honey is a floral-fruity fragrance. It has top notes of pear, mandarin and punch with heart notes of honeysuckle, peach and orange blossom. The base notes of honey, vanilla and wood combine to create this intoxicating fragrance.

The Marc Jacobs Coffret contains each fragrance individually boxed with a 4ml fragrance within. As you can see from the pictures, the bottles of fragrance are the typical Marc Jacobs style with a miniature version of the famous bottle tops that are synonymous with Marc Jacobs.

I absolutely adore the products from Make Up Forever and have been picking up various primers and foundations on every trip to States. My latest addition to the collection is the Make Up Forever HD Finishing Powder, a powder created to give a perfect photo finish to your face, making you look flawless and perfected. I have the travel size of 5g, which is perfect to pop in my handbag with a mini kabuki brush for touch ups throughout the day.

This lightweight silky powder is snow white in colour and a little goes a long way. I prefer to drop a few taps of powder into the lid and use a kabuki brush to really swirl the powder into the brush before buffing onto my skin. I also really work the powder into the skin, as you can end up with a white face if not applied correctly.

The powder is so fine and silky that it doesn’t sit in fine lines and cause cakiness but leaves a beautiful blur to the skin. It mattifies and sets your make up in place for the entire day. It doesn’t contain any form of shimmer or shiny particles so there is no chance of a frosted looking face. Since using Make Up Forever HD Finishing Powder I have noticed that it really helps whilst at work for those mid day shiny patches, and practically absorbs any shiny patches on your face without disturbing your make up.

You can pick up Make Up Forever HD Finishing Powder from Sephora as they now ship to the UK, yay! The travel size pot works out around £12 whilst the full size pot is £22.

Its so nice to be able to share with everyone the ins and outs of my job. Many of you have been asking about what I take away with me when I’m on long haul trips so I thought I’d share a little bit into the essentials that I need when I am away. I have two suitcases when I do long haul, one for longer trips in which I use my big Samsonite suitcase and another for short trips, or what we call bullets, in which its usually just a night stop. Being away from home, whether it be a holiday or work can be quite hard to pack for as you like to have your home comforts and the products that you use frequently. The majority of items in my long haul case are duplicates of products that I use whilst at home to save me having to repack and unpack every single time I go away. Which is a lot at the moment!

My toiletry bag comes from Next, and consists of a large bag with two smaller bags inside. I use the medium sized bag (not shown) as my make up bag and the large and smallest bag remains in my case with the items in that I don’t need to unpack. The Next set of cases cost around £13 and each year Next update the designs. I purchased the nautical themed bags ( not available any more) as I love anything nautical!

Inside the small bag I keep items such as spare contact lenses, hair bobbles and grips, mosquito bands and cotton buds. I also have a few hair clips for when styling my hair and a mini sewing kit for emergencies. There is also medication inside such as painkillers and remedies for upset stomachs and dehydration.

My skincare items include my trusty Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and Instant Boost Skin Tonic and a clean muslin cloth, Johnsons make up wipes to take my eye make up off, Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, DSM Carrot Cream and Soap and Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator which is incredible for hydration before I fly.

My bodycare items consist of Soap and Glory Righteous Butter Mini, Flake Away mini and Clean On Me mini, Body Shop Coconut body butter, a shower gel that smells of coconut, Mitchum deodorant, razors and a shower puff.

I have the Bumble & Bumble Surf shampoo, conditioner and Surf Spray for long haul as I love the beachy wave look. I also have a mini Charles Worthington hairspray, Pearl Drops toothpaste and a Crest Vivid White toothpaste (not shown) and toothbrush.

I have a mini cosmetics bag which gets transferred from one case to another that has a selection of mini items in that I want to use up or try out. The Badger Balm is great for helping me to sleep, and I love my Esteé Lauder Advanced Night Repair and Revitalising Supreme cream. A mini Bioderma, Suqqu treats and Duo lash adhesive are also included.

Finally, I have a seperate bag for my nail care products, which I update with whatever shades I am wearing at the time. I love my Leighton Denny crystal nail file and essential remover. There is also an OPI remover and Avoplex hand cream. Manicure sticks, an Essie base coat and my favourite Leighton Denny shades and the One For All base and top coat are all I need for perfect nails.

So, there you have it! My long haul toiletries make sure that when I’m away from home I still feel at home. What products do you like to take with you when you go away?

For some reason I have been holding off on writing a review on the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm for quite sometime. Its not for any particular reason, except maybe that I don’t think it is the stand out product that most people seem to think it is. I know that products are different for everyone, but I havent found a bad review of Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm yet, and for that reason I keep thinking I havent given it chance enough to like it.

I have such a large selection of cleansers with my favourites being cream and foaming, with the occassional gel cleanser thrown into the mix. The only other balm cleanser I own is the Emma Hardie Moringa Face Balm which I absolutely adore, but the £36 price tag puts me off slightly. Priced at just £21, Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is a cheaper alternative, and seems to be a popular dupe for Emma Hardie.

First of all, the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is very plain and no frills. It looks white in the jar and turns into a translucent oily milk when water is added. It reminds me of lard when it is in the tub, and the formula is a tad off putting when I apply it to my skin. I find it feels very cloying and overwhelming on my face, and I think this is the reason why I haven’t given it chance, as it feels so claustrophobic on my skin. I’m sure this sounds very odd, however I found this with the NSPA cleansing gel too, and stopped using it for this reason. It removes all make up and stubborn mascara which is brilliant, and leaves my face feeling soft and smooth and overall very clean without any oily residue. The properties of the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm are great, its a great cleanser in terms of removal and does do what it says on the tin. With the basic formula of the balm cleanser, it is suitable for sensitive skin and causes no irritation.

If the feeling of the balm on my face was a lot lighter and not as cloying, then I would be using Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm daily, but I’ve let this feeling put me off. Like a trooper, I keep trying and it has ended up in my long haul suitcase for when I am downroute, however hot climates and a lard like substance on my face has made my feelings towards Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm a lot worse.

Have you tried Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm?

When I’m away on trips with work, I don’t want to plaster a full face of make up on in a morning, especially if its the day of departure. I still can’t face meeting an entire crew for breakfast bare faced, as no one needs to see that first thing. Sometimes moisturiser just won’t cut it, as the effects of jet lag and 14 hours in a metal tube the day before plays havoc with my face. Fear not Anoushka, I have a life saver and a new saviour that will ensure I look my usual polished self but without caking on the layers and still maintaining a golden glow. Introducing Timebomb Cosmetics Holiday In A Bottle in Sunkissed*.

This quick hit of sunshine in a bottle gets rid of the ashen grey colour of my parched, flight tired skin and gives me an intense boost of tan in seconds. Whilst the formula is not a stain, false tan or a foundation, it gives a great light coverage with an instant colour. The cream formula which is grey in colour once dispensed from the tube contains micro-pigments which burst onto the skin in a delicious golden glow. The colour isn’t too dark nor too fair and is a perfect colour match for the natural tan that I do develop when I have been in the sun. A little definitely goes a long way and blends easily into the skin. As with any facial product, blending is key especially around the hair line and brows.

For me this liquid sunshine is my new skin treat whilst on trips and has become a permanent fixture in my long haul suitcase. It definitely has the Air Hostess Seal Of Approval. Matte enough to disguise any oily patches yet sheer enough to look natural with that ‘Hey, I just fell out of bed looking like this’ look. Timebomb Cosmetics Holiday In A Bottle is available in Suntanned, to give a translucsent sunny bronze and Sunkissed which is a lighter honeyed glow.

As you can see from the picture, a little goes a long way. The 30ml bottle is priced at £28 which may be pricy for some, however I feel that you can’t put a price on something that makes you feel pretty spectacular after you’ve used it. I know i’m onto a winner when other crew members comment that I’m glowing and look really healthy. That for me justifies every penny.

Timebomb Cosmetics Holiday In A Bottle in Sunkissed is by Federici Brands, at £28 for 30ml.

My love for Essie has been ongoing for many months now. I seem to veer over to the Essie counter before even looking at any other brands as the colours and finishes are so extensive that you really are spoilt for choice. One Essie polish that I didn’t have, yet has been on my wishlist for quite sometime is Mint Candy Apple. I have seen this colour floating around the Bloggosphere for so long, and have been lusting after it for ages so I’m not sure why it has taken me up until now to get my paws on it. A few weeks ago, I saw Essie tweet about their new duo packs, which are great value for money at £12.99, especially when a single colour is £7.99. Essie Twinklebelle contains a full size Mint Candy Apple and a full size Luxe sparkle top coat in Sparkle On Top. I picked mine up from Boots for £12.99, .

Mint Candy Apple is such a pretty Spring/Summer colour, that fits into the pastel trend perfectly. The mint green is a true minty colour and the polish doesn’t look chalky when dry. Two coats are needed for full opacity and application with the pro wide brush is a doddle. Free from streaks and an average drying time, Mint Candy Apple is my new favourite for the upcoming warm weather season.

Sparkle on Top is a clear polish with shredded glitter flecks suspended within the varnish. The glitter is silver and green in colour, depending on how the light catches it. Sparkle On Top can be worn alone or over the top of Mint Candy Apple for a pretty accent nail. It is very subtle when worn over the top of Mint Candy Apple and it just gives that added sparkle. It is more show stopping when worn alone as the green glitter flecks do blend in with the Mint Candy Apple base coat.

Mint Candy Apple and Sparkle On Top lasted a good three days before I noticed any chips or lifting. The quality of Essie polishes is so good, and Essie Twinklebelle is no exception.

Will you be trying Essie Twinklebelle?

I recently wrote about my first ever haul from Lush in Bury, and the fabulous goodies that I picked up. I’m still a bit in shock with myself that I have never bought any of the bath bombs or bath ballistics. Since my little trip to Lush, I have used the majority of my goodies, including the Golden Egg and Secret Garden. I thought the Secret Garden was gorgeous, with its rose petals and silky oil it left on my skin. The Golden Egg and its honeycomb scent was just divine and didn’t leave me covered in glitter like I expected it to.

I picked up the Lush Immaculate Eggception in my haul, in pink. The delicious scent of lemon, grapefruit and vanilla all combine to give an invigorating and uplifting experience. Although it has a £6.95 price tag, the bath bomb can be used three times so it is quite good value for money.

When I cracked open my Immaculate Eggception, I would find out if it contained a mini yellow chick or white bunny. I got the yellow chick in mine. Its the little touches like this that make me love brands like Lush. Cute and with thought put into it to make it fun.

I used half of the egg in my bath and its fizzed into a delicious looking pink lagoon, with the wonderful aroma of citrus standing out. The water felt silky and smooth and the bath bomb left my skin feeling amazing. the natural oils within the bath bomb are really good for my skin, especially when I’ve been out in the sun or had a few days at work where I’m left feeling dehydrated. I think I will definitely be getting another Immaculate Eggception before they finish selling them after Easter.

Have you tried any of the Easter range from Lush? The Immaculate Eggception is £6.95 and available in stores and online.

Last Summer, MAC Cosmetics released their poll so you could vote for your favourite shades of the 90s and 2000s to make an appearance in Spring 2014. The vote was between six different lipsticks, and three of those would make a comeback on the MAC UK and USA website until they sold out and disappeared forever. The lipsticks up for the vote were:

Pink Poodle: Vivid, fuchsia pink, frost finish
Rozz: Watermelon reddish-pink, matte finish
Hoop: Mid tone rosy pink, matte finish
Tomango: Bright red-orange, matte finish
Glam: Vivid, bright pinky-red, matte finish
Flavour: Soft, muted peachy pink, satin finish

I actually remember voting for MAC By Request, and I remember voting for Pink Poodle as it’s pink, and I love a pink lipstick. However, when they came online with the winning requests; Pink Poodle, Hoop and Glam, I automatically went for Hoop as it is a colour that is quite unique and doesn’t look to similar to anything I own already. I may have purchased Pink Poodle too, but we shall save that for another day!

MAC By Request Hoop is described as a mid tone rosy pink. To me, it is quite vintage rose in colour. Its absolutely beautiful and I can’t liken it to any other lipstick in my MAC collection. I compared it to Speed Dial and Chatterbox however they are in a totally different colour spectrum in my eyes. Its a warm toned pink, and is fully opaque in coverage and lasts a good 4 hours before wearing off. MAC UK states it has a matte finish, however on the box and tube it says satin finish. It looks to be a matte lipstick in the tube, however there is a definite satin finish when applied. Either way, its a beautiful colour!

Alongside the lipsticks, MAC have released the matching lipglasses to add to the collection. I’m not a huge lipglass fan so I haven’t bothered with those however if I can get hold of Glam before it disappears, I’ll be a happy girl! The lipsticks are priced at £15 at MAC UK.

Ok girls, I need you to stop what you are doing and have a look at this amazing jewellery page, Flaunt Jewellery. I am a huge lover of the statement necklace and the pieces that Flaunt Jewellery has to offer is just incredible. From the necklaces that are on the smaller side, to the huge wow pieces that I like to dress in, Flaunt Jewellery has a great selection to choose from, with prices starting at just £6.

The Fuchsia Fizz* is a perfect piece to wear both day and night. I teamed it with a simple white vest and blazer for instant glamour and style. The necklace uses a bracelet style clasp surrounded by crystal detailing. During the day, I found the clasp to be secure and although the necklace is quite heavy, it didn’t move around or feel like it would come open.

The bright fuchsia compliments the sparkle of the crystal perfectly. Whilst I was wearing my Fuchsia Fizz, several people commented about how amazing it looked. When a necklace gets so many compliments, you know you are onto a winner! I do sometimes have an issue with costume jewellery and how it reacts on my skin, however I’m pleased to say that I have had no problems or discolouration whilst wearing Fuchsia Fizz. I’m looking forward to the next time I go out so I can wear it again!

You can see the full range from Flaunt Jewellery on Facebook, including the beautiful Fuchsia Fizz which is a bargain at £20. I have my eye on The Tropicana and Bubblegum next! Follow Flaunt Jewellery on Twitter and Instagram too.