Don't get me wrong, I love a beauty bargain more than the next girl, and the majority of my make-up collection is from the Drug Store! That being said, there are a few high end pieces in my collection that I could not live without and I think everyone can benefit from owning at least one of these products!
Like my Drug Store Must Haves post, there will be UK and US links to purchase the products mentioned below!
Erase Paste is my absolute go-to concealer and I will so so rarely ever use anything else on my under-eye area. The salmon tone erases all dark circles and its staying power is incredible. It's a truly fantastic concealer.
Benefit Mascara will ABSOLUTELY change your life. I use either They're Real or BadGal Lash also every day. The curl, volume and staying power of these mascaras are unreal. I have never used the waterproof versions but I still have no issues whatsoever with them flaking or running. I cannot recommend Benefit mascara's enough. Benefit have just launched their new "Roller Lash" mascara and I cannot WAIT to get my hands on it!
There is no denying that the Naked palettes are expensive, but as a proud owner of Naked 1 and Naked 2, I cannot express their value enough. I have never used any eyeshadow that has such a rich colour and will last all day, even without primer. The shadows are so smooth and come in so many versatile colours in each palette that you can create so many wearable looks with for both day and night time. I also think that the brushes in the palettes are the best eyeshadow brushes I have ever used.
Personally, I prefer the Naked 2 over the Naked 1, I find the shades easier to work with :)
4. Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer - $30 | £33.99
I have never found a more natural looking bronzer than this one. It's so wearable and gives you the most perfect golden glow! I personally love the shimmer in this bronzer but I know they do a matte one too if thats what you prefer!
I know they're expensive, but I truly love all of these products. There are some drug-store equivalents/dupes but I am a firm believer in the age-old saying that you get what you pay for, and for the products I listed, I don't mind paying the extra!
I have to be honest, right now I am OBSESSED with Tarte's Amazonian Clay Mineral Bronzer and I'm so sorry but UK readers you are going to have to miss out! As far as I'm aware, Tarte Cosmetics are only available in North America and Australia! I have the shade 'Park Avenue Princess'
I love this product because it is mineral based - meaning it feels amazing on my skin. What's more, I feel as if a tiny amount of product goes a long way - one container has lasted me for over a year and I feel as if it's still got a good few months left in it!
I apply the bronzer in a '3' shape on my cheek bones, jaw line and forehead using a Kabuki or blusher brush - whichever I have to hand! It blends really well and feels really light and more importantly looks really natural!! We've all seen those bronzers where people have gone a bit OTT and know how much of a disaster it can be - not with Tarte!
It is at the pricier end of the spectrum, as far as blushers go. It's listed as $29 on the Tarte website, but in my opinion, it is worth every penny! As I mentioned above, I have been using the same one for at least 15 months, I hit pan a long time ago but there is still enough product in there to keep me going!
I feel as if the product is really long-wearing as well as easy-to-wear. After finishing a long day at work, I still feel as if I'm wearing something and happy with how it looks! I've placed a picture in at the bottom showing how my make-up looked after 6pm!
I can really recommend this Bronzer - and it's the first time I've ever been able to say that! If you're in the US, Canada or Australia, click HERE for stockists. If you're from outside those areas, hit someone up to send someone to you! Trust me, it will change your life!
Hello! Long time, no blog! Well it certainly feels like it after the almost three weeks of daily posts! I've accepted that life does go on after the Olympics and I'm back and ready to step up my blogging game! I thought it was time I shared with you my bikini series prize entry. As you know I am not shy at all when it comes to recording videos and my plan was to make one when I went on vacation to Turkey because I thought, what better way to show that I've become a Beach Babe than to record on the beach! I knew I had wifi in the villa and thought everything would work out for the best! However on arrival the wifi didn't work except for emails and luckily I was still able to enter via email (with an essay)!
Here is my entry - enjoy!
First of all I'd like to thank you girls so much for all the hard work and effort you've put in to organising this challenge it has changed my life beyond words.
I started this challenge in a dark place. Trapped by Body Dysmorphia disorder, I was hiding from my body and myself. I saw no way out and felt as if I was going to continue my life feeling as if my body wasn't my own. I felt fat, lonely and therefore isolated myself from my family and friends.
It felt as if I was stuck in a maze, unable to find a way out and getting constantly frustrated with myself for getting lost.
Tone it Up was my saving grace.
Through the bikini challenge I was able to reconnect with my Tone it Up family and rediscover my love of fitness and taking care of myself.
I've developed strength in more ways than one! I'm able to hold a side plank now for a long time without lowering my knee to the ground. I've also become more flexible and am able to touch my toes comfortably for the first time! All thanks to the Beach Babe DVD!
I've also developed a new-found love for cooking. I've set it into my weekly routine to cook my friends or family a TIU approved meal and we all love it!
The most significant part of my challenge was that I beat my challenge. I am no longer riddled with body Dysmorphia. I have worked hard to overcome my barrier.
Now, in every corner of the maze my TIU sisters are there guiding me to the exit. Helping me, just as I aspire to help them. I can happily and honestly say that I love my body. I will forever be indebted to TIU for that!
In total during the challenge I lost 16lbs and 6 inches =D
I know it's brief but I was concerned about the word limit as I had no way to check it on my iPhone!!
The next thing I knew, one Thursday morning I woke up to discover that little old me had been selected as one of the Runners Up! I was shocked beyond words. I never enter anything that the Tone It Up girls put on to win, I enter to let them know how they've impacted my life, again and again and again. The main prize for me this Spring was falling in love with my body again so I was so shocked and humbled to be chosen as a winner!
Then, after an agonising wait I arrived home from my second vacation in Spain to this package!! Ahh! It was incredible! I'm still grinning!
My Prize (and the Borelli scarf! I forgot to put it in the pic!)
Naturally, as it's me, I had to record a video with all my new swag! (Thanks to my sister for filming hehe!)
As I mentioned in the video, unfortunately my Tarte Bronzer was smashed in transit so I scoured the internet and found a soloution to fix it! I was so excited (and it took me back to my High School Science days hehe!) It was really easy, a tiny bit messy but it worked!
First off, take your smashed powder and smash it even more! I used a nail stick to do it. Make it as fine a powder as you can! You need to do this to get rid of all the lumps and bumps!
Next take the bottle in your house that has the highest percentage of alcohol in it! For me, it was vodka and it worked really well so I'd reccomend it! Pour a little into the lid and very very carefully start pouring it in to the case whilst mixing the powder and the vodka with the nail stick until you have created a paste. It is really important that you don't let it turn into a liquid! Keep the mixture quite thick.
Next, take some toilet paper or a tissue, fold it in half and press down on your paste with the tissue. This makes the top smooth and as similar to the original product as it could be.
Then, wait overnight (at least) to give the alcohol time to evapourate and voila! Your smashed powder compact has magically repaired!
Hi, I'm Georgia, welcome to GeorgiaMEdwards.com. I'm a British girl, living by the beach with a passion for living a healthy lifestyle. This blog incorporates all elements of that. I hope you enjoy your stay! Love always xo
