My Violet Delights: March 2014

Summer has now finished for me, so I thought it would be a wonderful idea for those of you who are just going into Spring, to tell you all about what my essentials were.

Let’s start with the all-important canvas for our beauty products, skin care. During Summer, your skin can suddenly begin to have a mind of its own. As everyone’s skin is different, this may not necessarily work for you, but I am just going to give you a couple of idea about what I do. My skin is generally combination to oily. The first essential aspect of my skin care routine is using an exfoliating face wash. This will remove any older or dry skin leaving you with soft, fresh, smooth skin. The exfoliant that I use is on the coarse end of the scale, so I only use it twice a week. I use Palmer’s Coco Butter Formula with Vitamin E Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub.

My second essential is using a toner. This will help even out the oil levels of your skin so it won’t be too dry or oily. Please make sure that you do cleanse your skin before using your toner otherwise it will not work anywhere near as well. The toner I use is The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner.

I have used this toner for years and it is a miracle worker.

Thirdly is the incredibly basic, moisturiser. Using a moisturiser will work with the toner to make sure your skin is well balanced. It will also help keep your skin soft and smooth. I use Clean & Clear essentials moisturiser for my face.

This is an oil-free moisturiser so it won’t cause any extra blemishes. However if you are on the other end of the scale worry not. The toner in combination with this, will make sure your skin is not too dry.

Sunburn is just an obvious thing that comes with Summer. There is nothing worse than dealing with sunburn for days as well. My really simple solution is constantly apply moisturiser and paw paw ointment. The moisturiser that I use for the rest of my body is the Redwin Sensitive Skin Vitamin E with evening primrose oil body lotion. Paw paw ointment will last on your skin for far longer than moisturiser will. I would give you paw paw ointment as my only option, but truthfully covering your body in it is not the most comfortable feeling. So during the day I tend to use it just on my face and moisturiser everywhere else. Then at night when I go to sleep layer myself in paw paw ointment. Honestly it is a miracle worker. I also apply this to my lips every night to replenish them as a part of my general skincare routine. I use the Lucas’ Paw Paw Ointment. I have very high faith in this product as I have been using it since I was about seven or eight.

Enough of skincare, it’s now time for the pretty part!

Throughout Summer I have absolutely loved bronze eye shadows. They really add to a Summer glow look. To be completely honest at the start of Summer I didn’t have any bronze eye shadows that I was happy with, so I began to use my favourite bronzer, Napoleon Perdis Bronze Patrol. It is more expensive than a general drug store bronzer, but it lasts forever and a day so it is a product that is well worth it.

This bronzer has some gorgeous tones marbled through the palette. You could also add a darker brown eye shadow to create a dark look and create move definition. After a while I also bought a brown and bronze eye shadow palette, the Boe Beauty Eye Shadow Duo. I haven’t been able to find a link to this eye shadow, however I bought mine from Big W.

This also brings me to my next Summer essential, bronzer. Over the last two years I have found this bronzer to add the perfect tone for a Summer kissed look. I use this bronzer to contour, but also ensure that I don’t look incredibly pale in the middle of Summer. I apply it to all the areas that have a Summer glow to add to my foundation. This ensures I don’t look too tan or pale.

My next beauty essential for Summer is pink lipstick. I was using Maybelline Coloursensational The Shine Lip Colour Juicy Bubblegum (140).

This was my everyday lip colour and I did not find a better lipstick all Summer. This lipstick looks like a lipstick with a hint of gloss, but feels like lip balm. It makes your lips look so healthy, it feels incredible and smells beautiful too. One of my favourite things: IT DOES NOT FEATHER ALL AROUND YOUR LIPS *happy dance*. I might have to go and buy more of these in different colours simply for that reason.

Let me know what your Spring/Summer essentials are in the comments below or if you have a similar article add the link below. Wishing you all a fabulous Spring and Summer. xx

It is finally Autumn so I've got an excuse to wear fall colours. I must say my love of maroon from last year continues. I found the vintage Topshop flatforms surprisingly at City Beach when I was on holidays. I have also been waiting to wear this as a part of my Autumn and Winter collection. As for make up I've decided to ease in from Summer to Autumn. To create this look I used bronze and brown tones that I have loved through out Summer. However I added more brown to create a more fall oriented look. I also used less bronzer than I did throughout Summer.

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