| Bedtime Beauties |

Getting out of bed in the morning is most definitely not my favourite thing and as a result I pay little attention to my skin at the start of my day. To make up for this I cleanse, tone and moisturise every evening. A wise woman once taught me this was the key to beautiful skin, and I think she just may have been right.

Right now I am loving these products:

1. Johnsons Make Up Be Gone Pampering Wipes

You may think that wipes are the lazy girls guide to make up removal, however, the Johnsons Be Gone Pampering Wipes are truly fabulous at removing make up with just one wipe. After trying the entire Johnsons wipe range, I am extremely loyal to this lilac variety! The pack states that they remove waterproof mascara, a true claim... but with a lot of elbow grease. On the plus the wipes are super soft with a moonflower scent as part of the DreamySkin range. Although Johnsons wipes are at the pricier end of the drugstore wipes, I most definitely think they are worth it for the texture of the wipe and gentle formula. You will not be left with any signs of tightness or redness and the scent is perfect for bedtime.

2. Clarins Cleansing Milk with Gentian

I adore Clarins skincare and this is the perfect cleanser for when my skin is on the dry side of combination. I prefer to use this cleanser for Autumn/Winter when my skin needs a bit more TLC. Try using the suction technique to apply this product.

3. Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris

This alcohol free toner helps to reduce redness and leaves my skin feeling super clean without that stinging sensation. The Iris formula is best suited to combination or oily skin It has a very subtle fragrance and does not leave the skin feeling greasy at all due to the low g;lycerin content.

4. Clarins Multi Active Night

I received this as a gift in May and have found that the small tube has lasted forever - a little definitely goes a long way.  As with all Clarins products the smell is generally a love or hate, but I think this moisturiser smells beautiful. It has a non greasy formula. which I love, perfect for Autumn/Winter.

Not Loving.....

5. Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream

I have been using this cute little tester pot for a while now and like the lightweight formula and smooth texture but would not purchase a large pot. This is suited to younger skin, ideal for those in their 20s . If you are looking for a formula which offers light moisturisation and smoothes the under eye area then this product is for you, however, this offers no help with dark circles. 

| The £30 Make Up Challenge|

For under £30, using only high street products you can create a great everyday look which is easy wearing with neutral tones.

These are the products I heart:

Foundation

Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation offers medium coverage with a light glow and SPF15. I use one and a half pumps to cover my whole face which is more than I would use in my beloved Chanel, however, it is light and moisturizing so does not look overdone. This foundation is great for combination skin as it does not cling to dry areas. Under bright lights it does have a slight shimmer, but in natural lighting it makes skin look radiant. Retailing at £8.99 this is definitely worth a try (although be warned the colour range is minimal).

Concealer

The Collection Lasting Perfection concealer is a complete bargain and challenges some high end concealer products. A favourite among many beauty bloggers, this product offers strong coverage and is great for use on blemishes as well as the under eye area. A little goes a long way so don't use too much. I would recommend rolling the product onto the back of your hand and applying with your finger as opposed to the dough applicator (for both hygiene and finish). The one and only downside of this product is the cheap packaging as the print rubs off very easily. £3.69 in Superdrug at the moment - you can't go wrong!

Eyeshadow

I have been loving the Cover Girl Eye Enhancer in Shimmering Sands as it is such a versatile palette. It is super cheap and can be picked up for around the £3.20 mark (once converted back from $). I picked up mine on ebay and have been wearing it over the On-and-On Bronze Maybelline colour tattoo. This palette is very shimmery but offers a classic neutral tone.

Mascara

I am completely fickle when it comes to mascara and love trying new ones. I must confess, I am usually guilty of only buying high end mascaras, Chanel, Clarins and Lancôme being a few of my favourites... however, I have recently tried the Maybelline The Rocket mascara and have been pleasantly surprised by the results. The mascara most definitely adds volume without clumping and the brush picks up even the smallest of lashes. The formula dries quite hard, but my lashes remained fairly flexible and there was absolutely no flaking (my biggest irritation when it comes to mascara flaws!). Being critical, I would not say the product feels as nourishing as some of the high end mascara's and it did take a bit of effort to get it off - but in some ways this can only be a good thing. Although I have not tried it myself, the waterproof version of this mascara also gets a good write up.

Blush

I had to include an Elf blush in this challenge as they truly are such a bargain! My personal favourite for a natural blush is Tickled Pink. I love the smoothness of the blushes and the buildable colour. Tickled pink is a perfect for a pretty everyday look.

Lips

Get ready for the autumn weather with one of Nivea's Lip Butters. My favourite is the Vanilla and Macadamia. Containing shea butter and almond oil they leave your lips super smooth and soft. Also perfect for use just before bed.  

What products would you use for under £30? | xx

| Maybelline Colour Tattoo Crème Gel Eyeshadow |

I first discovered these eyeshadows after reading an array of blog posts comparing them to Mac Paint Pots. I have tried and tested two of the range (On-and-on Bronze and Permanent Taupe) and they have become one of my go to eye products. I use these both as a base for other eyeshadows or on their own. 

Product Claims: Maybelline says the eyeshadow is smudge and crease free, lasting 24 hours.

The Truth: These have a thick and creamy consistency which has fantastic blendability. They are thicker and more pigmented than the Benefit creasless shadows and genuinely do have amazing staying power! I certainly don't need them to last 24 hours, but 10+ was good enough for me! When used as a base for powder eyeshadows they hold it in place with zero smudging and are easily applied and blended using your finger.

Permanent Taupe is a matte colour, ideal for creating a soft smokey eye

On-and-On Bronze is perfect for layering neutral shades on top

At £5.49 I think these are a bargain considering their quality, staying power and creaseless gel formula.  

Let me know if you try any other shades | xx