Nars Blush Palette - A Review

It's been a while. I know, I know. Apologies for the lack of posts over the last month or so. I think with all that is currently going on, motivation was lost along the way. I'm sure that many have felt this way through one lockdown to another. I won't carry on, I know we are all in this together. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we will return to some form of normality sometime soon. 

Ever since starting this blog, I can remember lusting over Nars blush palette posts. Seeing these blog posts, with gorgeous flat lay's showcasing the packaging and the product, made me fall in love. I can remember adding it to my wish list right away, and thinking that one day I may treat myself to one of these beautiful palettes. My dreams came true this Christmas after finding this beauty in my stocking (thank you so much Sam).

Firstly, how pretty is the pink metallic outer packaging?! It's so striking and reflects the light at all angles. The compact itself is slightly weighty, and contains a perfectly sized mirror which will come in handy on the go and when travelling makes a return. The palette contains 6 shades, 3 blusher shades - Let It Burn, Get Lost and Body Talk, with 3 highlighting shades - Tied Up, Deep Down and Drift. I have loved mixing the blush shades together and creating different variations that I can wear on my cheeks. Similarly, the highlighting shades also make such pretty eye lid eyeshadow shades.

The pigmentation of each of these shades is just out of this world. The highlights are so creamy in their texture. If the kind of highlighter you like to wear is more on the blinding side, these shades may not be for you. They're very natural looking on the skin, almost a your skin but better kind of vibe. But I love them for that reason. It's lovely to have the option to wear something more subtle on the daily, but they are definitely buildable, making them more reflective when the light hits the high points of your face. With the blushers, a little goes a long way which is amazing. 

Since opening this on Christmas Day, I haven't put it down. Nars is slowly becoming one of my favourite higher end make up brands. I can 100% see this palette becoming one of my staple make up items in my routine.

Have you tried any Nars products? What are your recommendations?

Amber X

Makeup Picks For Sitting In Your Christmas Jumper

Let me be honest, I intend to spend my Christmas Day doing nothing but eating and sitting around in my Christmas jumper. For those of you who also plan on doing the same and taking in all of the Christmas TV that is planned to be showing, I thought to share some of my makeup picks to add a little bit more glam to sitting on the sofa. 

Huda Beatuty Matte Lipstick

How gorgeous is this shade?! Nothing speaks Christmas like wearing a red lip and I am so glad that I have come across this one. I wore this yesterday whilst we went on a walk to watch the Christmas lights being switched on, and I didn't reapply it all day. It didn't budge, it didn't bleed which I find that so many red lipstick shades can. The formula was so comfortable to wear - it didn't dry out my lips or go all clunky around the edges. It was truly gorgeous. If you feel like a festive treat, the shade of this matte lipstick is 'El Cinco de Mayo'. I cannot wait to carry on wearing this through the festive season.

Mac Soft and Gentle

An all time favourite of mine. I love the sheen this highlighter gives to my skin. It is definitely not on the subtle side of highlighters but it doesn't contain chunky glitters either and I love it for that reason. It melts into the skin and gives such a healthy looking glow. Definitely a way to add a bit of sparkle in your makeup routine for Christmas.

Too Faced Natural Nudes Palette

One of my makeup favourites of this year has to be this one. I have used it every day since I bought it back in the summer. The matte shades are so pigmented, and similarly, as are the shimmer shades. There are so many looks which can be created with this palette - subtle natural looks, but also put together, night out type looks. If there is one palette which you want to treat yourself too, I would 10000% recommend this one. It's so beautiful. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

If you're looking for a concealer that blends really well, brightens up your under eyes and has a high coverage, this one is for you. A firm favourite for many, there are reasons why this is a top pick of mine. It's super brightening and lasts all day. I also find that this concealer doesn't sit in any fine lines underneath the eyes either. It's just a win win. 

What make up products will you be using to create your Christmas day makeup?

Amber X

Let's Talk: Couch to 5k

Running was something that I always loved to do. Albeit that first run in a while, when you have ruined your usual running routine. That run is never fun. I used to break up my revision in university with exercise, and usually my first choice would be to go for a run. I love the excuse to go out and get some fresh air and to test yourself. I had lost my way with it since finishing university and then it was straight into full time work, which did make it all the more difficult. 

Then I thought, why not try the Couch to 5K app? For those of you who don't know what this app is, it's basically a weekly plan including different lengths of runs, which build you up over time, therefore, you will eventually end up running for longer if you complete 3 runs within the week. You start with running for 1 minute, and then a 2 minute walk for example, and on the last week of the training, you run for a full 30 minutes no walk. I think you get the idea. Essentially, having a personal trainer (ish) in your ear for the duration of your run, telling you when to start running and when you can have a walking break. 

I thought this would be the best way to get back into the swing of it. This way I wouldn't go in all guns blazing for the first run, cause myself to be super stiff for the next week, and then decide I am going to pack it in again. I set myself the challenge.

I am currently on week 7 of 9 weeks and I can tell you, that I feel like it has truly got me to like running again. It's so nice to go for a run after working all day, to get outside and enjoy it, even if it is raining. It's also great to have a routine, and although I don't stick to the 'go for a run every other day' depending on the day I have had and how tired I am, but I am surprised that I have managed to make it a habit. I have been running for 7 weeks!!

If someone had told me that after 7 weeks of doing the Couch to 5K app, that I would be running quite happily for 25 minutes solid, with no break, I would have laughed. But I feel that breaking down the runs and starting small, really has had a great effect on my mind and body when it comes to running for longer. I hate the initial thought of going for a run, but I love the accomplishment that you feel when you're finally through it, and you know that you get that rest day the next day.

One thing I have also enjoyed, is trying new routes. Running in the wood was so pretty and an easy way to keep your mind off of the task at hand. After my 9 weeks, I am going to try and keep to a routine, even if it isn't a solid 30 minute run each time I go, I will be chuffed to say I actually completed the training on the app, haha. 

Have you tried Couch to 5k? What do you think of it? What's your favourite way to exercise?

Amber X

A Day Off Morning Routine

- This post contains previously gifted items. Not obliged to repost photos of the products. This post is not sponsored in anyway - 

All the years of having this blog, I don't think I have ever done a sort of 'day in the life of' post. So this weeks post is about to change all of that. I must admit that my days off aren't the most exciting unless I have plans, which is very rarely the case (working in hospitality means that you're off when none of your friends are haha). But I do love a morning to myself, and this is what my typical morning on a day off looks like for me.

A lie in never happens. Body clock usually wakes me up between 7:30 and 8:30. Fingers crossed that it is nearer to 8:30 and I can have a slightly longer sleep than on a working day. I will then stay in bed until 9:30 ish, be comfy, catch up on some YouTube or finish what I was watching on Netflix. So maybe that does count as a bit of a lie in haha.

Next is breakfast. I have been getting into the habit of drinking green tea first thing (even when I am at work). A mug of green tea, and a bowl of porridge is my go to choice for breakfast at the moment. Granola, with some Alpro vanilla yoghurt and fruit, or some waffles with maple syrup as a treat have also been favs of mine recently. Something about a warming bowl of porridge on a cold, rainy morning. I do like to add banana to my porridge if I have any, and maybe a squirt of honey or golden syrup.

After breakfast, is where I end up changing from my pyjamas, to that pair of trackies that I wear around the house with a big baggy jumper. It's almost as if I am changing from one pair of pyjamas, to another.. I dont tend to do my makeup on a day off, even if I do leave the house. It's nice to let your skin breathe once in a while. From here, I make a mental list of all the things I need to organise or get done that day, and try and work my way through them. Even if it's just hoovering or tidying my room or downstairs (what a thrilling day off, I know..) or popping to the supermarket or bank. My days off are also spent drafting blog posts, taking photos for those posts, and reading through other bloggers post, gaining inspiration and finding new individuals to follow. I have recently, brought some bits to learn how to start handlettering. I've always admired those beautiful fonts that look so effortless to create, but I am aware you have to start somewhere haha. If I get through my list, those are the things that I have been loving to do recently.

Throughout the day at home, I ensure that I try and drink as much water as possible. Ever since Waterdrop got in contact last time, the use of their gorgeous bottle and Microdrink really have improved my efforts of drinking more water. If you were intrigued about Waterdrop from my >last post<, they have just set up an innovative way of people trying their products. Simply follow my link below, register your email, verify your email, and receive your own link. Share this with your friends for the chance to unlock product rewards! The more people that sign up through the link, the more products you will unlock! It's a great way for your family and friends to try these products, as well as yourselves.

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I definitely prioritise my days off as giving myself that extra time to catch up on what I need too, and relax. I hope that you reading this, also spend some time on your days off or weekend, to take a moment for yourself and catch up on what you've been meaning too.

What do your days off start with?

Amber X

- This post contains previously gifted items, sent to me for my consideration, but this by no means, has changed my thoughts or opinions. Under no obligation to repost photos. Full disclaimer on my 'about' page - 

Everyday Autumnal Makeup

Autumnal makeup to me is all about shades of cranberry, purple/plum and orange - the best colours. Here are the products that I looove to use on a daily basis in Autumn. 

Nars Sheer Glow is my choice of foundation when I don't want a full coverage base (you most definitely can build it up for a fuller coverage base though). With a light layer, your skin 'peaks' through, but still looks flawless. I don't tend to use a lot of foundation in the colder months, and for that reason, Sheer Glow is my go-to.  For concealer, I have been loving the Bourjous Radiance Reveal concealer. It really brightens my under eyes with zero creasing. 

To set where I have concealed I always use the Laura Mercier Translucent setting powder. I could never replace this stuff, it's truly amazing. To set the rest of my base makeup in place, I use the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. 

To bronze, I love to use the Bourjous bronzing powder in '52' around my temples, my cheekbones and my neck. If I want an extra bronzy glow, the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked powder in Bronze 03 is gorgeous when it catches the light, giving the skin a bronze sheen. Blush, is always Nars Orgasm. 

To shape, define and fill in my brows, I use the Mac eyebrow pencil. Once I am happy with how my brows are looking, I clean them up with a bit of concealer, and set them with the Maybelline Brow Drama.

 For today's eyeshadow look, I used the shade 'LA' from the Kylie Jenner Burgundy Palette on my lid - a beautiful gold with an undertone of burnt orange. I applied Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara to both, my top and bottom lashes. 

For highlight, I chose the Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Indiscretion. This highlight isn't subtle, but isn't filled with glitter either. It can be applied softly for a muted look, or layered to appear 'blinding'. 

My favourite lip liner is Mac Whirl, and I paired it with Charlotte Tilbury Penelope Pink. The overall look is warm and sparkly, just what I like.

What's your favourite makeup item to use in the Autumn? Have you tried any of these products?

Amber X

Cosy Night In

Being at university can be so stressful at times, and personally for me, the best way to 'chill out' after a hectic day is to have a cosy night in. I honestly do this most nights (I'm so boring haha), but it's one of my favourite things to do.

Putting on cosy clothes, turning on my fairy lights, and wrapping myself in blankets is only the start!

I'm sure your night time routine may be similar to mine, but these are the things I do to wind down at the end of a loooong day.

Face masks

Admittedly, I don't use face masks as much as I want too. There is something about looking after my skin that makes me feel like I have my life together haha. My favourite masks at the moment are clay masks, I love how soft they make my skin feel.

Dressing gowns

I don't think I could be apart from my dressing gown. It is the best solution for anything - they're so warm and cosy, both my favourite things to be.

Big cups of tea

There is nothing that cannot be solved by a good cup of tea - if you're not one for tea, try hot chocolate, it's always a good alternative.

Netflix and Youtube

Having something to watch is always a good way to wind down. Catching up on programmes, or YouTube videos is time consuming, so I like to save it until the evening where I know I don't need to be doing anything else.

What're your favourite things to do when you want to relax?

Amber X