March Faves...

So Spring hasn't quite sprung just yet but the clocks have gone forward and the sunshine is out for longer, even if it is joined by freezing wind and the odd bit of snow! Here were my favourite products in the month of March, note that one of them is fake tan (well if the sun isn't being kind to us we can at least fake it, right?)

 Eyes:

Sleek Palette (Storm) - The selection of shades is so versatile for day or night! Been packing this alone for my weekends down in Notts when I stay with friends!

MAC Eyeshadow (Mulch) - This slight shimmery brown shade is amazing on its own or incorporated into a smokey look over the lid. It can be used to create definition or a sultry soft shimmer. Love.

L'Oreal False Lash Flutter (Black) - I reviewed this mascara (here) and fell in love! It separates the lashes perfectly and adds length with no clumps or running! Can't ask for much more in a mascara.

Foundation 

No7 Beautifully Matte (Porcelain) - This foundation is perfect for oily skin. I use it more along the centre of the face to mattify my t-zone and leave the rest bare or with some mixed with a moisuriser.

Brows

Benefit Browzings (Light) - I have had this for nearly a year now and it barely has a dent in it! The combination of the sturdy wax and soft blending powder is perfect for defining brows without the dreaded "scouse brow" effect. I also love the handy tools it comes with; perfect for travelling.

Countouring

NARS Laguna Bronzer - Perfect matte bronzer which is definitely worth its cult status. Beautiful blendable shade for contouring under the cheek bones, temples and sides of the nose (for that extra oomf). Only downside is it is easily smashable (cry).

Illamasqua Highlighter (Gleam) - Again, a popular product, especially amongst bloggers but this cream highlighter blends like a dream and has the perfect shades of sparkle to look gorgeous in any light! Want glowy skin? This is for you!

Illamasqua Under Eye Concealer (White) - I use this under eye concealer for down my nose (so it appears smaller) I only do this really on nights out or for photographs but this product is perfect for this.

Collection Under Eye Concealer (Lightest) - If you don't want to spend half a days wages on a YSL Touche Eclat but still want the effects of it this is your perfect dupe product. At a quarter of the price it is just as good for concealing dark circles.

 Lips

Topshop Lipstick (Innocent) - The creamist texture and prettiest nude pinky shade (reviewed here). I couldn't love Topshop lipstick more if I tried. I have worn this so much either for a natural day look or for a nude lip with a smokey eye at night.

MUA Lipstick (Shade 3) - For £1 this pink shade can do no wrong! Long lasting and beautifully pigmented. Products like this make me wonder why some brands can charge SO much for their products!

Brush

Real Techniques Buffing Brush (Part of a set also) - I am SUCH a fan of Real Techniques but this has to be my favourite foundation brush recently! It buffs and blends amazingly and feels so soft!

Fragrance

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb - Never mind a March favourite, this perfume is my all time favourite. Try it. I promise you you'll wear nothing but forever.

Tan

XEN Tan Gradual Moisturiser Tan (Light/Medium) - A little pricey but smells amazing (vanilla) and gives an amazing colour after just one application even though it is classed as gradual tan.

Tool

Style IQ Nipple Daisies - I had to include this little helpers. They have saved me from many embarrassing moments with some bra-less clothing in the past chilly month! Try them they are fab!

There you go... my March favourites! A lot of them are my all-year favourites to be honest, I've tried not to ramble too much but hope you enjoy!

Do any of these fall into your March favourites List? Would love to see your thoughts!

PS. My Instagram name is @fionabarbs_mua for up to date beauty and lifestyle pics :)

Benefit FINE ONE ONE Launch

I was invited by the lovely Benebabes to the launch of Benefit's new cheek product Fine One One in Leeds Debenhams! The night was full of amazing demonstrations from the Benebabes and champagne and sweeties (I know, win - win!)

First of all the name it's self is amazing! Like all Benefit products it has a catchy clever name and the name is true to the product it really is a life saver and can rescue you from any beauty emergency!

It's in the form of a roll on stick (a bit like a deodorant) it's in beautiful rose gold packaging and is a super handy size- fits perfectly in your makeup bag!
Now the technical bit - what it does! The stick consists of three shades, a pinky highlighter (pink champagne), a pink blush (sheer watermelon) and a coral (soft coral). For a flush of perfect colour you just sweep the stick across the cheek bone with the highlight colour at the top and then blend! You can apply as many layers as you want for your perfect pretty pop of colour! Mixed with High Beam and Coralista blush you get a perfect glowy look! Or use with Sunbeam and Hooler bronzer for a beautiful bronzed glow!
The 'Tip of the Day' in my eyes was the trick to get definition AND colour on the cheeks just by using one product - Fine One One! By applying the stick (highlighter at the top) to the apple of the cheek, turning the stick 360 degrees and then up to the temple in a zig zag shape instantly creates definition and a perfect amount of colour! Don't ask me how Benefit HQ worked out how that worked but it does work! Amazing!!
You can use the pink champagne end of the stick to highlight under the brow bone and cupids bow too! Or use your finger to apply each colour individually to build the exact colour you desire! It also gives a pretty beautiful flush of colour when applied to the lips! It is just SO versatile and this is why I LOVE it!!
Seriously you must go to a Benefit counter near you to try it for yourselves!! Let me know if you liked it as much as I did!!

P.S. Check out my Instagram for instant beauty pics! @fionabarbs!