Helpful Handbag Products From Merci Handy

If you're anything like me, anti-bac is your life. 
It's true.... I can't go anywhere without a trusty bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel safely nestled in my bag. Ready for public places, people and of course - transport, I don't think I could actually tell you how many bottles of gel I've gone through in my lifetime but, it's a lot!

Merci Handy contacted me last month at the perfect time.... just before the lsle Of Wight Festival - a place where anti-bac is needed by the dozen and a total must-have for my festival backpack.
Receiving four of their hand gels, New Wave (not pictured), Cherie Cherry, Oh My Lemon & Black Vanilla, I knew I would be in no short supply... even when half my friendship group hold out their hands after every trip to a portaloo because they know I'm always armed!

These hand gels smell delightful and are in such a handy (excuse the pun) size, very similar to the old style Bath & Body Works hand gels. They aren't drying in the slightest which can be a real downfall for some brands and they actually leave my hands feeling really soft.
The scent 'New Wave' isn't pictured because I actually used the whole thing before I got round to shooting for this post.... it was my festival saviour!

The Merci Handy team were also kind enough to send me one of their Refreshing Face Mists.... which I didn't know I needed in my life until this god damn UK heatwave! 
A delightful reviving and refreshing mist which in it's 'Flower Power' scent reminds me of a body spray I used to use but in a very toned down form. The doesn't ruin my make-up and really does give a moment of cool to the face, neck and chest which is needed when stomping up a hill home!

Have you tried about Merci Handy products yet? They really are a fab brand for little handbag essentials!

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My New Everyday Perfume : Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum

For Christmas this year (last year?.... 2015! You know what I mean) I was lucky enough to be given 2 Thierry Mugler perfumes that I had been wanting forever - Angel & Alien.

My mum has been wearing Angel pretty much since it came out and I've always been such a fan (stealing sprays when I can.... hahs sorry Mum!) Until now I've just had the Glade Honey & Chocolate candles at home constantly, they have such a similar scent - warm and sweet they make everything smell amazing.

Angel has now become my everyday perfume. The sweet smell of vanilla, chocolate, honey and patchouli is strong but not overpowering and with just one or two spritz' the scent stays on all day.
Normally with perfumes after a couple of hours I find even if others can still smell the fragrance on me I can't smell it on myself anymore but with Angel I can smell it all day which I love.

I only got a 15ml bottle for Christmas - which sounds tiny but I was surprised by how big it was - I was picturing a little tester size! I've used it everyday so far and it looks like I've basically used none - I can tell it's going to last for months and as soon as it runs out I won't might picking up another.

If you haven't smelt Angel before I highly recommend you go grab a tester soon - it's not to everyone's taste but if you like warm, sweet scents (or chocolate) you might just find yourself a new favourite.

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New Eyebrow Favourite : Threads Eyebrow Pencil

I know a few of you have been patiently waiting for this post since I started tweeting about my 'new favourite eyebrow product' last week and the time has finally here for me to share!

 All hail my new eyebrow favourite. THIS is the pencil of dreams.

Threads Brown Illuninata Brow Pencil*

I had been stuck in my eyebrow rut for a while - the same couple of products, the same 'okay' look that I was overly impressed with each morning when I headed out the door .... so this came at just the right time!

This is a semi permanent pencil from Threads (not as scary as it sounds I promise!) and don't worry you can get it off haha!
This has transformed my everyday make-up and made me feel so much more confident about my brows! 
After overplucking as a teen part of my eyebrows are sparse and as much as I've tried to grow them... they just aren't coming back so penciling them in is kind of a must!

This pencil is waterproof and sweatproof and I can totally see a difference using this than when using my usual drugstore pencil. Even after a long day at work they are still totally in place, not smudged or faded at all - which is a problem I had had alot before.
It comes in 2 shades - Black & Brown, I have been using the brown.

The pencil is easy to use but it works alot better when the nib is sharp, it is so pigmented and just a few strokes in and my eyebrows are completely transformed (and you can't even really tell that I've added onto my actually brows... plus it has a handy brush on the end too!)
After I've created the shape I want, I just go over the to with my HD Brows powder and Bob's your uncle!
It comes off easily with my Cleanse & Polish which is great too - I really, really am SO impressed with this!

At £15 the Illuninata pencil isn't the cheapest but also isn't the most expensive brow product I've bought/tried and for something that's made such a difference to my make-up each day I think it is totally reasonable!

Threads collection is now available instore at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge so if you're London based go and check them out!Plus you can buy it online here and also find out more about the brand and their range - here.

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My Everyday Contouring Duo

Contouring has been talk of the make-up town for at least a year now and although I'm no Kimmy K when it comes to shaping my face, I do use a couple of products in my everyday routine to give me a little definition, colour and shimmer.

These two have been a solid make-up favourite and in my make-up bag since the day that I got them. It was literally love at first use and I know I've talked about them a fair few times already on here but I do feel like they deserve another mention! 

These two are both from the ever-growing cosmetic brand theBalm - on the left the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter and on the right the Bahama Mama bronzer - and I cannot rant and rave about these enough.

The highlight is a gorgeous pinky silver shimmer highlight which gives a gorgeous sheen and glow to the skin and the bronzer is a fantastic matte tan shade, which I always find hard to get hold of (For under £25 anyway!) - together they are a dream team!

I start off my doing my usual base of make-up - primer, concealer and foundation. I then use my Zoeva Sheer Luxe Cheek Brush to sweep the bronzer into the classic '3' shape from my forehead round to my cheekbones and then down towards jawline. At this point I look a bit OTT and ridiculous but that doesn't last long.

I then use the other end/side of the brush to start of the highlighting.
 With the Mary-Lou I usually pop a bit alongside/above the line I had made along my cheekbones, then down my nose, a tad on my forehead and a little on my cupids bow and chin.
Then it's time for the blending - I use my big fluffy Real Techniques powder brush to buff it all together in small circular motions, blending away those harsh lines and creating a soft, subtle and wearable bronzed and highlighted look.

As you can see.... these are running thin and I'm already panicking about running out! Even though I'm trying to save money this next year these will have the be a re-purchased as I really can't see me living without them anytime soon.

What are you favourite bronzers and highlights? Have you tried either of these?

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Rimmel Good To Glow Highlighter 001 Notting Hill Glow

Another new Rimmel product today! Yes I've done a couple of Rimmel reviews already this past week or two but they have had some fab new releases for Spring so I hope you're not getting too bored!

Highlighters are one of my favourite products ever to use! A natural gorgeous glow is something I am always aiming for day or night and I've probably said that a million times over the years on here.

This new liquid highlight from Rimmel is a total bargain and I've been so excited to share my thoughts with you all.

There aren't a huge amount of liquid highlighters out on the drugstore front, my favourite for a long time now has been Skin WOW! from Seventeen and it's nice to finally be able to try out something new which isn't high end!
This lovely pearly formula is full of light reflecting pigments which help create a natural radiant and illuminating glow. 
It's very much like a mix between Benefit's Highbeam and  MakeBelieve's Luminize Skin Highlighter. 
I've been using this daily alongside my cheekbones, nose and forehead! It blends really easily and is priced at ONLY £4.99 - a total bargain in my opinion.

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Crown Brush Professional Contouring Palette Review

Crown brush won my heart over this summer when I tried out some of their brushes for the first time! BUT this brand doesn't only make fabulous brushes, oh no, they also have a gorgeous ever-growing make-up range to go alongside them.

I'm a big sucker for palettes, mainly because I'm a sucker for anything pretty/fabulous, and the contouring palette from Crown is no exception!

This 26 shade masterpiece contains a full of a range of colours to help enhance nearly any complexion and I have fallen hook, line and sinker for it.

This palette comes in a back slick, slim hard case which is easy to store and looks as professional as it's name!

The range of neutral shades are right up my street, I'm a bit of wimp when it comes to brights, especially on the eyes so these pinks, tans and slight plums are perfect for me for both my everyday make-up and my awkward attempts at creating a smokey eye. (Yes, I'm not the greatest.... but I blame my eyes - they are so small!)

Crown Brush Professional Contouring Palette*

I thought I would highlight a few of my favourite shades above! The bottom two I have been loving using together daily - the left tan shade to help contour my cheeks and then the warmer pinker tone alongside it!

You only need to tiniest bit of the bottom right hand shade as it is pretty bold but when blended across the cheek it gives a gorgeous rosey gold shimmer.

The other shades pointed out are the ones I have been using most on my eyes, they blend together so well and I've actually been choosing this over my holy grail naked palette (along with another palette which I've also fallen in love with and which I'm sure you will all see soon!)

And..... there's a closer look for you! This shades are amazing quality, so pigmented and some gorgeous shades that you would pay a hell of alot more for if they were from somebody like Mac! 

With both matte and shimmer shades to compliment and contour this versatile number from Crown Brush UK is a perfect addition to any make-up lovers collection whether just starting out or professionally. For just £19.99 I think this is a total steal and you can find out more and/or order it - here!

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