Despite being full bloom winter in Dublin, i tried to adjust my makeup accordingly to the calendar month. Which meant swapping the foundation for a BB cream, peachy cheeks, bold lips and groomed eyebrows.

The Clinique BB cream (shade 3) satisfied my coverage needs providing a medium coverage with a matte finish, whilst protecting my skin with a high factor. I dusted lightly on top some Urban Decay Ultra Definition Powder, left my skin ultra silky and blurred out the imperfections. It feels very fine on the skin, without any of that ‘powdery’ effect.

My cheeks were brought to life with Mac Springsheen blusher, a beautiful satin finish peachy coral (similar would be Benefit Coralista, another favorite of mine). I needed something soft but healthy looking, to match it with bold red lips – Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang.

Because my lips were making such a statement, i kept my eyes defined by black winged eyeliner and lashings of mascara. I filled my eyebrows with the Smashbox Brow Tech Crayon in Brunette, an amazing product that probably deserves its own post. Also its a great dupe for the more expensive Tom Ford Eyebrow pencil.

Have a feeling my April favorites will be, ‘simple ways to hide head bumps and face bruises’ or the exciting ‘arnica saves blogger’s face’.

My style is not very fashion forward, i like casual clean cuts and bold colors that make me happy and comfortable. I have countless skater or tulip dresses, my pear shape loves this style and makes me look proportionate.

While i was browsing the online shops, filling up wishlist baskets when i don’t have a penny left on my name, i came across so many covetable pieces. You know when you see something in a shop that just screams ‘so you’? Well, this year spring fashion has me all over it: stripes, pleats, vivid colors and pretty dresses are begging to be purchased.

Payday cant come soon enough!

Although it is still so very, very cold – in February i reached for peach tones, glossy textures and warm neutrals to counteract the dullness and the greyness of my skin. Its been a long winter, don’t even remember how the sun feels like.

Because my skin wasn’t at its best, ive picked the new Lancome Visionnaire foundation (035) to smooth out and cover all my imperfections. It cleverly has a full coverage corrector on its top that covers everything in sight, just warm up a tiny bit on the back of your hand and tap gently the parts that need hiding. The foundation itself, goes smoothly on the skin leaving a dewy, fresh appearance.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer (in 2) has done a great job to cover my dark circles, amazing creamy consistency and long lasting coverage. I set it with a tiny bit of loose powder to prevent creasing. A great tip for when you are feeling and looking very fatigued is to apply a tiny bit of orange/brick shade lipstick on the blueish parts and then to go over with the concealer. The warm brick shades neutralizes the blue, while the yellow beige concealer will brighten and lighten.

For my eyes ive been using obsessively every day the Smashbox Blue Eyes Smokebox (review here). Naked palettes what?!

Benefit Browzings in Light has contoured and shaped my brows, love the tinted brow wax and the shadow is perfect for my coloring.

My lips were exceptionally dry due to my never ending cold, so Lush Ultrabalm has successfully moisturized and soften in minutes. I like how is quickly absorbed and instantly any chapped bits are soothed. The Clinique SuperBalm in Mango sealed the moisture and added a peach tint to my lips. Love how soft it feels and that its absolutely non sticky.

Butter nail polish in Kerfuffle* completed my fresh spring look, adding a hint of sunshine on my nails. Beautiful colors, free from all the nasty stuff (no formaldehyde, toluene and DBP) and good lasting properties.

And finally, my days were lifted by Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir. Ill be a very sad girl when my sample finishes.

*PR Sample

I have been gathering and hoarding my empty bottles of used products since December for an empties post, don’t know why i find it so hard to use up something. Maybe because i have millions of potions and lotions constantly on the go?!

From Left to Right here is my low down of used bits:

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream (travel size) – got this as part of one of their ‘free gift with purchase’ promotions, nourishes and moisturizers the hands and nails without leaving greasy residues behind. Already a cult Clarins product, its very handy to keep it in your bag for an on the go touch up. Despite that im not a fan of the scent, i will repurchase it in the future.

Nivea Energy Fresh Roll On – the only anti-perspirant that didn’t leave white marks on my clothes, whilst being efficient. Already re-purchased the Pearl Beauty version.

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Scrub - the best body scrub i have ever tried! The scent is divine, filling the whole room with a delicious pistache biscuit fragrance, while your skin becomes super smooth and soft. Need more of this in my life.

L’Oreal Ever Sleek Smoothing Conditioner – left my hair uber smooth and manageable, without weighting down or looking greasy. My fine hair seemed to be in great shape whenever Ive used it, no need for any added straightening. Ive combined it with their new Elnett Heat Protect Spray (the straight version) when blow drying and it always left my hair frizz free and soft. Definitely a keeper.

John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner - obsessed with the scent of this range, smells just like Cacharel Amor Amor. Another winner for fine combination hair, hydrated without weighting down and tamed the frizz. Probably i will purchase again, particularly when on offer.

Vichy Liftactiv Retinol HA Night - ladies you must invest in this moisturiser! Its the only one that ive tried so far, trust me ive tried many, that gave me plumped, lifted and smooth skin in the morning. Even the fine lines/dehydration line were gone! The consistency is just beautiful, a mixture between cream and balm feels very luxurious when applied on the skin. As the name suggests it, has a form of Retinol inside that promotes a wrinkle free, young face by morning time without the nasty side effects of the pure stuff (dryness, redness, sensitivity). A high SPF must be worn during the day.

Lush The Olive Branch Shower Gel mini – an all time favorite, it makes me feel happy and pampered every time i use it.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum – the first time ive used it didn’t notice major improvements on my skin, so ive stop and tryed again after a few weeks. The second time, my skin wasn’t in the best condition to start off so results started to appear. Its ideal for imperfection prone skin, seems to speed up recovery and aid the healing process. The texture felt a bit too rich for a serum and wasn’t too much keen on the scent, but overall would repurchase this in times of need. Very curious about the new eye serum out…

Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Cleansing Oil – best cleansing oil that ive tried, come payday ill purchase the biggest bottle i can find.

Clarins Hydraquench Gel-Cream – because my skin has become quite dry during the winter months, kept this little pot to top up during the day for an extra boost of hydration. Of course used it in the makeup free days and after ive taken off my makeup after work. The first thing i do after work is to take off my makeup and let my skin breath.

1) Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color (medium) – lately ive been obsessed with my eyebrows, ive let them grow for ages making me resemble a monkey, to get a more fuller shape. When i went to the Stila event, Ive come across this marker type pen for the brows which the Makeup Artist sang loads of praises. Its waterproof, amazing alternative to brow tattoos (personally i haven’t seen a good one yet) and a great image booster to someone who is lacking full brows but still enjoys been active. I got the medium shade and im extremely pleased with the whole look: its very subtle, yet defined and lasts all day long. I still use a brow powder and a pen, but that’s just me being obsessed.

2) Clinique Turnaround Instant Facial Masque Eclat Instantane – i have a love/hate relationship with this mask. Love because it provides a wonderful micro-dermabrasion type of exfoliation, leaving the skin fresh and smooth. I hate it because, while does wonders for the skin tone, it leaves behind a tone of glitter. Why would you do that Clinique? When im getting a radiance booster type of mask, i expect to naturally enhance my skin not to turn me in a Cullen.

3) Benefit The POREfessional – this little sample from Glamour magazine has lasted me ages. Im not a fan of primers although i have an oily skin, but this one ive enjoyed using. Its not the typical silicone gel primer, it comes in a smoothing light balm that fills in all the little pores and fine lines. I will definitely get the full size.

4) Lancome Creme Mat de Brillance (300) – limited edition from the autumn collection Midnight Roses, this matte creme hasn’t left my lips all month. Full colour, comfortable in a very fashionable matte fuchsia, it definitely got me a tone of compliments.

5) Lancome Blush Subtil in Brun Roche – as autumn came with all the deep violet trends, i had to change the coral blushers for a more suitable shade. Enter this dusky pink, with a hint of brown from Lancome. I adore it on a tanned skin, it enhances the sallow tones and can be even used for contouring. Its a lot more brown-tan in reality than the picture.

6) Roger and Gallet Rose Imaginaire* – or when a rose is not really a rose. Who knew that by mixing strawberries, mandarine, jasmine and violet notes on a bed of woody patchouli and sandalwood you will get a delicious rose scented fragrant water. Im loving this in the morning as a body spray, it feels warm and sensual and makes a great base for Lancome La Maison Mille et Une Rose, my new favorite perfume.

7) Kenzo Amour Body Nectar – as the weather got colder, im loving long hot bats and pampering body treatments more and more. Hence this little dry body oil, that has perfumed my arms and decolletage leaving my skin soft and touchable. I love so much this scent that i have two backups of the perfume in my cupboards just in case.

*PR sample

What were your favorites? xo