Hello!
First and foremost, I would like to apologise for my lack of posting. Hopefully my last post explained it but I was in need of a well deserved break to sort out my mental health.
Through the break, I was doing everything I could think of to help calm myself down and feel good about myself again, so in true Claire fashion, I’m going to share my current favourite products, people, and random things with you!
L-R: Rosy Flush Cheek Palette (£8.00), Aurora Lip Gloss (£5.99), Fairytale Eye Palette (£6.00)
As a whole, Tanya Burr has been one of my favourite people lately. I started watching her videos basically when she first uploaded them and have been a loyal subscriber ever since.
Her products have quickly become my most used and loved items and they are always the first thing I mention when anyone asks for product recommendations, as they are affordable, high quality, and work perfectly on just about everyone!
To top it all off, when my existential crisis really took hold and my anxiety was at an all time high, I was amidst reading her book, Love Tanya. To cheer myself up, I decided to make a batch of her famous triple chocolate cookies and they turned out brilliantly (if I may say) so I had a little food photoshoot. After minimal editing I posted a photo, simply because I was proud of the way they looked, and Tanya retweeted me.
As a huge fan of hers, I was over the moon and after the happy tears dried up, I was left with the cheesiest grin on my face. And for the first time in a long time, I was happy.
Not that you will ever see this, but Tanya- thank you from the bottom of my heart. It really means the world to me.
Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara ($18.95 AUD)
In all of the years that I have experimented with makeup, I can honestly say I have never found a mascara that made me say ‘wow’. I haven’t tried that many, but they’ve all been sort of mediocre at best. I think because my lashes are quite long and thick, not a single mascara has been able to hold them up or keep them curled.
This is by far the best I have tried, and I say that with confidence. By no stretch of the imagination is it perfect as my lashes will still fall at the very end of the day. But in saying that, it gives me a huge amount of volume and length whilst being lightweight, dark, and long lasting. So it’s a winner in my mind!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Roll On ($19.99 AUD)
Recently, my skin has taken a severe 180 turn and I’m not particularly sure why. Overall it’s quite normal, but if I don’t moisturise it becomes quite dry and I still get slightly shiny in my t-zone throughout the day. But most of all, my eye area has become much dryer and quite dull looking. Fortunately, I’ve never had a problem with dark circles and that has remained the same, but the dehydration has made applying eye makeup quite difficult and isn’t the most comfortable overall.
When it got to the point where I had had enough, I wasn’t really sure where to start, as I’d never actually used an eye cream before. In my mind, it seemed as though I would need a product that was thick and rich in order to combat my dryness and rejuvenate the area, but this really proved me wrong. The formula has a very thin, gel like consistency that is exceptionally comfortable to wear, whilst the rollerball is lovely and cooling. But in accordance with that, it gives superior, deep hydration- and that’s all I ask for. Definitely worth checking out if you have a similar problem to me.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze ($11.95 AUD)
and MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked ($33.00 AUD)
This has hands down got to be my favourite combination of eyeshadows at the moment. As I have blue eyes, the bronze/copper undertones in both of the shades really accentuate them and bring out the sparkle. On top of that, the color tattoo simply doesn’t budge throughout the day, and I have never experienced creasing with any MAC eyeshadow.
I simply run Bad to the Bronze in a slight winged shape over my whole lid and on the outer third of my lower lash line on a synthetic shadow brush. I then place Woodwinked over the top, through my crease and all the way under my eyes and blend. Then I add loads of mascara and I’m done!
This is also the combination I wore in my first YouTube video so check that out if you’re interested to see how it looks.
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation ($71.00 AUD) and Zoeva 102 Silk Finish Brush ($28.00 AUD)
I don’t even know where to start with this foundation other than the fact it’s great. It looks insanely natural and healthy, as well as providing a happy medium coverage, and lasting all day. It’s rather pricey in Australia and is byfar the most expensive foundation I own, but it’s honestly worth the money.
I’m also really impressed with the shade range. They have great colours for anyone out there although they are especially great if you have golden or yellow undertones in your skin. I’m in the colour Deauville for reference.
To go along with that, I’ve really been loving my Zoeva silk finish brush. It gives a lovely flawless finish and doesn’t leave any streaks or stray hairs behind so it ticks all of my boxes. Mine was from the original rose golden set, but it is also available in a couple of other colour ways if that doesn’t float your boat.
Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 03 ($12.95 AUD)
If you’re a fan of that perfect Kylie Jenner Dark nude but you don’t want to go too extreme, this is the colour for you.
This is probably my most worn lipstick as I find it goes well with pretty much any eye look. The colour sits squarely between MAC’s Velvet Teddy and Honey Love. So if you feel that Velvet Teddy is too dark for you, but you want a bit more drama than Honey Love, this is the perfect, happy medium.
On top of that, I honestly believe that the Kate Moss lipsticks have the best formula out there. They are extremely comfortable to wear and don’t dry out your lips, but are also extremely long lasting and essentially smudge proof. Check them out if that tickles your pickle.
Essie Nail Color in Fiji ($16.95 AUD)
I’m sure if you’ve ever watched a single beauty guru on Youtube, you have heard of this colour. It’s just the perfect pastel pink for just about any skin tone and I highly rate the formula. Not much else to say other than BUY IT.
Original Tangle Teezer in Blueberry Pop ($29.99 AUD)
If you still haven’t bought yourself one of these little dynamos, I have no idea what you’re doing. This is not just a hair brush, this is a way of life.
This is my second tangle teezer and I’ve had it for about a year and a half now. After using them continuously for about… three years, I honestly can’t bring myself to use any other brush.
It’s really something you have to feel to believe, but this thing gets out the most stubborn of knots with legitimately no elbow grease, and more importantly- NO PAIN.
If you have long or knotty hair like I do… or hair at all for that matter, buy one. You’ll thank me later.
Tigi S Factor Smoothing Lusterizer (approx $30.00 AUD)
If you saw my Youtube video on my everyday hairstyles, you would know that I am deeply in love with this product. It gives a superior amount of hydration- especially for a leave in conditioner- and keeps my hair defrizzed and tamed as the name would suggest.
But the thing I love the most is that is makes my hair so incredibly shiny. As I’m blonde, I find it extremely difficult to get a shine in my hair no matter what condition it’s in, but this really delivers.
It’s scattered with loads of micro shimmer particles that really cling onto your hair and turn up the shine factor, but doesn’t make it look glittery like you might expect. It also smells incredible!
This is in the old packaging and I’ve had it for a good while and I’ve barely used half of it so a little definitely goes a long way. Winner winner chicken dinner.
Batiste Dry Shampoo in Sweet and Seductive by Ella Henderson (Gift Pack $14.95 AUD)
Like any beauty and lifestyle blogger, I’m a massive fan of Batiste dry shampoo and I’m sure whoever is reading this has probably tried it as well so I won’t go into too much detail, other than it’s the most handy product that’s ever been invented and you should all own at least fifty cans.
Up until I tried this, my favourite scent was always the floral and flirty blush scent and I still stand by it- it smells divine.
But THIS… the scent of this is at a whole other level. I have actually been asked what perfume I am wearing when I’ve used this if that tells you anything- the scent is just amazing.
Now I shall go and buy a few hundred cans before they discontinue it.
Zoella Beauty Creamy Madly Dreamy Body Lotion (£7.00)
This wouldn’t be a favourites post without something from Zoella Beauty in it now would it?
When I heard that Zoe would be releasing a bath and body range my head nearly hit the fan I was that excited!
I’m being 100% honest when I say this is the best body lotion I have ever used, which I really wasn’t expecting.
This gives a great amount of hydration which is obviously what it’s for, but it also makes my skin look really hydrated and radiant- and hey, we’re all a fan of a healthy glow!
The scent is also lovely. It’s girly and fresh, but it has a little more complexity than other lotions out there which I’m really impressed with. And on top of that, it comes at a very reasonable price so anyone can give it a go.
I’m quite gutted that the body mists can’t be shipped to Australia, otherwise they would easily be my everyday scents. Great job Zoe!
Lush Sex Bomb Bath Bomb ($6.50 AUD)
Bit of a scandalous name, but I am willing to look past the awkwardness to say that this is my favourite Lush product of all time. Boom!
This is the one bath bomb that I have to have in my Lush basket at all times or it just doesn’t sit right with me. Whenever it’s out of stock I have a mini panic attack just thinking about it.
It’s just a very luxurious kind of bath bomb that leaves you feeling hydrated, relaxed and calm which is something I’ve been needing lately.
On top of that, the scent is amazing and actually sticks to my skin for a good twenty four hours which is rather impressive. I even picked one up a few months ago while shopping with a friend and they said their car still smelled like it for at least a week- so there you go.
PSA: Lush, make a reed diffuser out of this so my house can smell like it 24/7. Please and thankyou.
Sportsgirl Soho Ring Sling Bag in Tan ($39.99 AUD)
Everyone who has ever known me will tell you that small handbags are my thing. Whenever I have a big one I majorly overfill it and riddle myself with back aches. Beauty is pain I guess but if I can avoid it, I will.
I found this bag through Rachael Annear’s What I Got for Christmas Video last year and as soon as I saw it, I HAD to have it.
Overall I’m really impressed with the quality, especially given its reasonable price point. Because of it’s tan colour and gold hardware, it pretty much goes with everything in my wardrobe. But if brown bags aren’t your thing, it also comes in black, black with navy and in a subtle, mustard yellow.
Q&A a Day 5 Year Journal- Potter Style (approx $25.00 AUD)
This is probably the best investment you can make if you have any kind of anxiety or are in the middle of an existential crisis.
If you’re not familiar with this book, it basically asks you the same question on the same day for five years. The premise is for you to see how your opinions and beliefs change, and generally how you grow as a person.
I basically copied Zoe Sugg and Tanya Burr on this, but my best friend Zoe and I both have a copy of the book, and after the five years have passed, we are going to exchange books and read each others to compare.
The reason I love this so much is because not only is it great for bringing people together, it has really helped me to stay grounded in what I do and keep calm, as it encourages me to reflect on my day. The questions are also really creative and fun to answer, ranging from deep philosophical subjects to “what was the last thing you ate?”.
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So there we have it! Those are my current favourite items.
Sorry again for the lack of posting, but I have quite a few exciting posts in the works so stay tuned!
Feel free to send me a tweet if you have any requests or questions, and thank you again for being so patient.
