Spring Radiance

I don't know about you, but the gradually lighter mornings and evenings put me in such a good mood. Maybe it's the fact that it's not dark when I go to work and dark when I finish anymore, but the start of Spring has inspired me in more than one way this year, makeup included. Here's a few products that I've been using to get the fresh-faced, radiant look.

The NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser is something I didn't initially get along with. Even with £10 off, I was disappointed at the lack of coverage it offered for the price and I was genuinely confused as to why everyone raves about this. Enter the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. Using a stippling brush, the tinted moisturiser didn't cover much of my redness at all without applying layer after layer. But the Expert Face Brush gives it slightly more coverage and a much more even finish. This will definitely be coming to Florida with me in May!

I've been switching between two blushers over the past few weeks. First up is the Bobbi Brown Powder Blush in Nectar. A matte peachy pink that will look flattering on most skin tones, Nectar is definitely one of my favourites to brighten the cheeks without overdoing it. My other blusher pick is Tarte Exposed. A slightly pinker alternative to NARS Douceur, Exposed is great for giving a natural flush to the skin. It's incredibly pigmented though, so a light hand is needed.

The Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer was added to my collection after Sam sung it's praises. I have pretty dark circles under my eyes but the slight shimmer in this works to brighten and illuminate without the heaviness. Definitely my favourite concealer for under the eyes.

My most recent purchase is the L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick in Molto Mauve. A lipstick/lipgloss hybrid, these new lip offerings from L'Oreal give a buttery soft sheen of a lipgloss combined with the pigmentation of a lipstick. The formula feels similar to the NYX Butter Glosses. I tend to prefer deeper coloured lip products however Molto Mauve does a great job of looking natural without washing me out. I wish I'd taken advantage of the 3 for 2 offer when I bought this!

What are your picks for radiant, Spring-ready makeup?

19

First Impressions | L'Oreal SkinPerfection

L'Oreal SkinPerfection Day Cream - £14.99*

L'Oreal SkinPerfection Advanced Correcting Serum - £19.99* 

By now it seems like every man and his dog has tried the L'Oreal SkinPerfection Micellar water except for me (I'm a bit behind on the skincare times). It has been what appears to be a huge success so far, and they have now expanded their SkinPerfection range to include an array of products from moisturisers and serums to BB creams and primers.

The range is targeted at a younger audience of people in their 20's and 30's, where skin can be affected by stress, fatigue and an unbalanced lifestyle. This can cause imperfections on the skin, such as enlarged pores and an uneven skin texture. 

I've been using both the Day Cream and Advanced Correcting Serum in conjunction with each other for a few weeks now. The serum is applied before the moisturiser in order to give the skin an extra hydration hit. For me, the scent of the serum is a little overpowering. It does seem to be quite fragranced, so that's something to be wary of if your skin reacts to scented products. The day cream is nice and light, however those of you with skin on the drier side may want to invest in something slightly more heavy duty. 

Since using these I haven't noticed any dramatic differences in my skin, but it hasn't made my skin any worse either. I do think the serum is a bit on the expensive side as, while it does provide a little extra hydration, it doesn't do much else for me and I can't warrant spending £20 on it. The day cream on the other hand is something I would consider again. It's great to use before applying make up as it doesn't sit heavy on the skin but rather sinks in quickly, leaving behind a smooth base.

Have you tried anything from the SkinPerfection range? 

7

Neon Nails with L'Oreal

L'Oreal Colour Riche Neon Pop Collection - £4.99 each*

You can imagine my surprise when a huge box turned up at my door with a "Bubblegum Balloons" label stuck on it. "I haven't ordered any balloons..." I thought to myself, but as it turns out it was actually a gift from L'Oreal Paris accompanied by their new Neon Pop nail polish collection.

The shades in the collection just scream Summer, with quite a diverse range of tropical colours including a white base to really make them stand out. There are eight colours altogether, but these are the ones I received.

Wasabi Hint

Probably my favourite out of the four, Wasabi Hint is what I can only describe as a different shade of green.  It's not light enough to be described as a mint green, not dark enough to be forest green. I don't have anything like it! The formula is impeccable and is opaque in one coat.

Banana Pop

Yellows are really not my best friend when it comes to nail polish, but this may have just changed my mind. A bright yellow, Banana Pop is reminiscent of ripe bananas and really packs a punch on the nails. It's almost opaque in one coat but is slightly streaky, so two is best for this one.

Flashing Lilac

More in-your-face fuchsia than lilac, this one surprised me. It dries to a jelly-like formula and sets it apart from the others. It's a little sheer even with two coats, but can be built up easily as it's fast drying. 

Acid Watermelon

What's a neon collection without a bright pink, eh? I wasn't expecting to like this one as I prefer pastel pinks, but I do. It really pops on the nails compared to in the bottle and I can see this being a favourite for a lot of people. As with Wasabi Hint and Banana Pop, it's opaque in two coats.

Overall the Neon Pop collection has seriously impressed me despite not being the most neon of polishes, and wouldn't hesitate to purchase from the Colour Riche line. I have no complaints regarding the formula, and the thicker brush makes application quick and easy. The collection is available to purchase now from Boots and Superdrug. I'm already eyeing up more shades!

14