The Luxe List

When it comes to adding a little drama into my makeup regime, Huda Beauty has it nailed. Her products inject the perfect amount of oomph, without a whole load of faffing around – so they’re perfect if you’re a bit time-poor, since you can apply then forget about them. Recently I’ve been loving playing with a bold lip colour. Usually I stick to a pretty neutral palette, but I’ve been pushing my boundaries – and when it comes to a colour as gorgeous as Huda Beauty’s Heartbreaker – how could you resist?

An absolute dream of a formula, Huda Beauty’s Liquid Matte Lipstick applies opaque from the first swipe. Creamy feeling on the lips, it’s got quite a strong sweet vanilla scent, which sticks around for a little bit. Word of warning, when you’re applying the lipstick – be careful. Huda Beauty isn’t playing around with the formula – since the lipstick is so colour saturated, it stains skin almost immediately, so a steady hand is a must!

Once the lipstick’s on – it isn’t going anywhere for at least five hours. IT’s the perfect choice if you’re heading out for the evening, and I’m obsessed with the bright pinky-red shade. Unlike other liquid lipsticks I’ve tried my lips never felt dried out or parched. Instead Huda Beauty’s liquid lipstick felt pretty much like satin on, and the colour never bled or faded.

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in Heartbreaker is priced at £18 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

When the Hourglass team visited Scotland a few weeks back, a group of Edinburgh bloggers were treated to a masterclass featuring a whole host of key products. Between sampling glosses and shadows (did you know the whole brand is entirely vegan?) we got to play with a tonne of key products. As well as being incredibly fun, it was wonderful getting to know the brand’s incredible products – I’d come across one or two in the past, but trying everything from primer to finishing powder has made me a real convert.

One of the products which the team couldn’t have loved more was the Caution Extreme Lash Mascara. After hearing tales about how it would change my life, I’m not going to lie – my expectations were seriously high, and when there was a tube of the mascara tucked into our goody bags, I’m not going to lie – I tried it on in the car!

First off, the packaging of the mascara is unreal. It’s all gold and weighty and it feels seriously fancy – especially when you’re getting ready early in the morning! For everyday, I like my lashes to look dark and defined, but when it comes to getting fully ready, I like my lashes to look a hell of a lot more dramatic – which is exactly where the Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara comes in. When I’m heading for a day of meetings, or going out in the evening, I like a mascara which gives my lashes a real boost. Within a stroke or two, lashes are completely jet black, thickened and elongated. It’s a real false-lash effect, and happily the effects last all day long. There’s no clumping, flaking or smearing, and it lasts through the most intense workouts. I had mine on during an evening spin class, and by the end of the class, there wasn’t a scrap of makeup left anywhere, but my lashes still looked freshly done!

Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara is priced at £25 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

In celebration of Benefit’s BRAND NEW Boi-ing Cakeless concealer, their full coverage liquid concealer that WON’T look cakey – Benefit are delighted to announce their very FIRST Benefit x Deliveroo collaboration, to bring everyone the Benefit Cosmetics CAKE-AWAY for one day only!

For each CAKE-AWAY, a Benefit x Deliveroo rider will arrive at the delivery location, and present the cakes in a bespoke box – however, there will ALSO be a Benefit Cosmetics Senior Trend Artist on hand at every delivery, to shade match the customer for the NEW Boi-ing Cakeless and hand over their FREE concealer! (concealer worth £18.50!)

If you’re not much of a morning person, the easiest way to make the ‘am’ that little bit more bearable to deal with is by injecting a little luxe into your routine. Whether it’s investing in a coffee machine, so you don’t need to hit up Starbucks before work, or just taking five minutes to plan out your day – little changes can leave you powering through that to-do list by lunch.

One of the most recent additions to my morning routine has been the Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Bath & Shower Gel. It’s a long-time favourite of mine, and I’ve kept  returning to it for the past few years. The scent is perfect for brightening up dull mornings – clean and fresh, without smelling too zesty, it’s one of those fragrances which just leaves you feeling squeaky clean.

I admit, it’s a bit more of an investment than your average shower gel, but thanks to such a rich and fragrant formula, you only need a squeeze each morning, and I love using it with a shower pouffe to get maximum suds!

Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Bath & Shower Gel is priced at £22 and is available here (UK) and here (US)