Best Of Beauty | Make Up Must Haves

I know, I've been a terrible blogger lately but life has just taken over a bit. Hopefully now things are settling down somewhat, that will all change. In the meantime, thank god for Samantha and her Best in Beauty blog challenge to keep me going! This week we're looking at our make up must haves. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing everyones picks for this as I am quite the little make up fiend!

Mine probably won't come as any surprise as I bang on about this lot all the time anyway:

1) Nars Voulez Vous Couchez Avec Moi, Ce Soir Palette
I have still yet to do a full independent review of this guy but believe me, when I do, it will be GLOWING. I bought this at the start of December as a Christmas present to myself (I'm generous like that) and I've actually used it every day since. I've always been a big fan of Nars blushes and would've put Orgasm in here if I haven't since fallen for Deep Throat (on the left of the pan in the photo below); for me, it's the grown up version of Orgasm- the same flattering peachy pink but with way less shimmer and very build-able in its pigmentation. Dolce Vita (on the right) although also lovely, I've used slightly less of as it's a darker dusty rose that requires a very light hand, something I'm not known to possess. As for the eyeshadows...SWOON. If you were wondering whether you should've bought the Narsissist palette, then yes, you should have. I have Lima, Lhasa, Tasmania and Antananarivo in this set and I've made a dent in all four already. The perfect combination of eyeshadows, this palette has actually ruined me for all other palettes.

2) YSL Touche Eclat
This is a weird one as I actually haven't used this since my early-mid twenties (when I bought it religiously) but got it as part of a Christmas present this year and have been reminded about why I loved it so much. I use this over my Nars concealer for my under-eye area and I find it's just that little extra something I need to neutralise the blue tones I'm prone to there. Plus it's light as a feather so sinks in nicely and doesn't leave me with any product build-up in skin creases (yeah, I'm THAT attractive). Sometimes, things are classics for a reason.

3) Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
This will be my monthly ode to this concealer then. I bought this last Summer and really, I haven't looked back. This stuff is the absolute business. It works on both under eye dark circles and spots/blemishes (actually rare enough to find that in a concealer). It doesn't go all cakey and it has fantastic staying power. I wrote a full review on it HERE if you want to see it in action, although I would warn you to prepare your poor eyes for the horror that is the before photo.

4) MAC Rebel
I also spoke about Rebel HERE so I won't go rambling on again but since I bought this, it's become my absolute favourite. A super flattering berry shade that works as well built up for a full on pop of colour in Autumn/Winter as it does applied as a light sheen with a slick of gloss over it in Spring/Summer, this is for me, the perfect lipstick.

5) Bourjois Intuitive Liner
I always have a liquid pen liner of some variety on the go. At the moment, I'm using this one from Bourjois, having recently finished the more expensive Clarins version of it. I really like Bourjois eyeliners in general though, they tend to be a good strong black (watery liners are my pet peeve), last well and are a decent price point.

6) YSL Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara
I've also gone on at length about this so I won't bore you any further but basically, this is my favourite mascara of all time. I try and use cheaper mascaras for daytime and "save" this one for nights out etc but then I think, once it's open you won't get that long out of it anyway and so I end up using it constantly. I don't really mind spending the extra bit on this though as I am now addicted to its false lash effect in a major way. It actually changes the way my face looks when I use it and I can't leave the house without it on now. Gah.

Apologies for the dirty mirror, didn't notice that til I uploaded it. Doh.

And that's the lot. Let me know in the comments if any of these are your own make up must haves or what you would pick yourself!

XX