Hey everyone. I thought since we're nearing the end of 2015 I would round up some products I discovered this year which have been absolute, stop the press, the search is over, holy grail products for me.



Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil - £16.50
Brows. Brows. Brows. So important to so many and yet I've been on the search for the perfect brow product for a loooong time. Until I found this eyebrow pencil which really does live up to it's name - hard formula - not at all waxy or creamy, this is more like an actual pencil which gives you precision and no build up of product. I have mine in 6 Seal Brown, a cool toned, almost slate brown - most "brunette" brow products are far too warm and chocolatey for me. This greyish brown is a much better match and looks incredibly natural. I can't recommend this product highly enough - it has changed my brow game for the better.



Tarte Eyeshadow in Eggnog
Now, I realise putting a single eye shadow pan down as a holy grail item is quite a claim but please, bear with me. This shade can be found in Tarte's Light of the Party holiday palette but a very similar shade also appears in the original Tartelette under the name Free Spirit - in my experience, the majority of Tarte's shadows are really good quality so I would definitely recommend these palettes as a whole but this one shade is just PERFECT. I am so picky about highlight shades but this one is just right for me - a matte, yellow toned cream which is super pigmented and buttery for such a light shade. I use this nearly everyday to define my brows and highlight and I haven't found a comparable shade in any other palette so far. When I eventually use this up, and I know I will, I will be nothing short of heartbroken (yes, I am that dramatic).



Bourjois Liner Feutre - £6.99
Next up, this felt tip liquid eye liner from Bourjois. I love felt tip style liners for their control and precision but I've often found them to dry out quickly or to pull and drag the skin. Not with this one though, the consistency is much closer to a classic liquid liner - richly pigmented and it glides on to the skin to create the perfect wing. It's applicator is fine enough to get close to the lashline for a pared down look and flexible enough to create more bold cat eye looks. I'm always interested to try new liners but after finding this, that desire has definitely took a back seat.





Essie Nail Polish in Aruba Blue - £7.99
Late to the party, I know but this year was the first time I had tried anything from Essie. I was finally drawn in by the array of colours and I was not disappointed. My absolute favourite shade is Aruba Blue - an iridescent royal blue but other colours I would recommend include Trophy Wife, Cute As A Button and Sew Psyched. The formula works really well for me; applies easily, doesn't chip and leaves an immaculate finish for days.



Rituals Rice Scrub - £10.00
Just one body and bath holy grail item to make it on to this list - this organic rice milk and cherry blossom scrub is wonderfully moisturising and great for dry skin. It also hasn't irritated my ultra-sensitive skin one bit since I started using it - the first scrub I've found that hasn't whilst still being effective.  The scent is subtle and sweet and because it's enriched with milk, it feels luxurious and soothing whilst still exfoliating. I use this with my ramer sponge in circular motions for the extra gentle treatment.

What were your holy grail finds of 2015?

NSB x

Welcome back! Now, before you start tearing in to your advent calendars, there are some very important November favourites we need to talk about (maybe not VERY important, but come on, humour me).



Benefit They're Real! Tinted Lash Primer
I picked this up as a sample with Elle magazine and it's not yet available for purchase - how exclusive! It's a counterpart primer to the very popular They're Real! mascara (I actually prefer Roller Lash, controversial). I've been very impressed so far - it definitely gives my lashes more length when used as a primer and it actually looks really pretty on it's own for a really soft natural eye look (it's mink-brown so definitely wearable). I probably need to use it more to decide whether or not I will purchase this when it is available but so far, it is definitely making a difference for my lashes!



Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Enchanted Forest Eye Shadow Palette, RRP £7.99
Now, I am well aware that I have a small eye shadow palette addiction but this one has genuinely earned its place in my favourites this month. This is, by far, the most pigmented Sleek palette I have ever tried. The shades are so unusual and they are absolutely gorgeous. I can get a complete look from this palette but as a lot of the colours are a little on the colourful side, I usually do pull in a softer transition colour from another palette. I did swatch a few of my favourite shades for you but I do think I'm going to end up doing a full swatch and review - so stay tuned!



Sleek MakeUp Blush in Rose Gold, RRP £4.49
Another Sleek product (they've had a good month, they get a gold star) - this is one of their single pan blushes in the shade Rose Gold. It's an absolutely beautiful, iridescent blush. I've seen this one compared a lot to the NARS Blush in Orgasm - a highlighting, coral/pink shimmery blush. Whilst it is shimmery it's definitely not too much or too glittery,  I think you could absolutely wear this as an everyday blush. It also reminds me of Milani's Luminoso which is big news across the pond, so I'm very happy to have found such an affordable UK option.



Eylure Lengthening 116 Lashes, RRP £5.35
I am a self-professed false lashes novice and I have definitely not mastered putting them on perfectly/on the first try. However, I have really enjoyed using these. I've tried a few different styles from Eylure and these are definitely my favourite - very flared on the outer lashes and they give a really wispy, fluttery look (is fluttery a word? I feel like it is). They basically make me feel like batting my lashes at everyone I meet, which does make me look kind of crazy but I'm okay with it.

So, that's it for my favourites this month. If you would like to see a full review of any of these products then please let me know in the comments. I'd also love to know what your favourites have been this month!

NSB x

Welcome back. We make up lovers spend so much of our time covering our faces in paints, lacquers and elixirs - but what about the skin underneath? In this post I'll be walking you through my current skincare staples, how they work for me and hopefully, if they could work for you!

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm RRP £15.50
Now, I have harped on about this product before, so I'll be quick! This is a silky and luxurious cleanser which is perfect for removing make up too and leaves skin feeling soft and soothed. As you can see, I'm still working my way through my packet samples of this product but I will absolutely be purchasing this once I run out. I love this as a pre-bedtime cleanser to rid my skin of all the horribleness of the day (Mondays, I'm talking about Mondays).

Simple Kind To Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub RRP £3.39
A long time favourite of my sensitive and allergy ridden skin - this exfoliating scrub is incredibly gentle and is pretty much the only face scrub I've used which doesn't turn my skin the colour and texture of beetroot. It's affordable and it doesn't ring any of my alarm bells when I read the ingredients list (I have many alarm bells, my skin is a tricky customer). It works well for me, especially when paired with my next item.

Boots Ramer Shower Sponge RRP £2.55
This might seem like a strange one, but stay with me. I use this sponge alongside my facial scrub to help buff away dead skin whilst still being gentle - my skin can be so dry and flaky in the winter, that the scrub alone just doesn't cut it in terms of smoothing out my skin. BUT using a more abrasive scrub irritates my skin - what a catch-22! This sponge is my solution, gentle enough to not turn my face in to a cherry tomato but still helps to smooth out my dry patches. If you're struggling with dry patches or have sensitive skin like me, I would definitely give this a try. Also, these ramer sponges are designed to mimic natural sponges without the harvesting of marine life - win-win!

Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Bio-Plasma Mud Mask RRP £7.99
Now, I love a mask. I don't care if it's gimmicky or if it's messy - it makes me feel like I'm at a 90's sleepover and that, to me, is a pretty ideal feeling. I do also genuinely love how this one makes my skin feel. I use a mask about once a week, just for a deep cleanse - our skin goes through a lot, it deserves a little treat. This mask tingles at first but I didn't find it made my skin red or sore at all - it actually leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and soft. I came by some sachets of this but you can buy a full size for a pretty reasonable price and I would definitely recommend it if you're a fellow mask fan.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream RRP £80
This is my current night time moisturiser - technically an anti-aging cream I know but it's really hydrating without being at all greasy and always makes my skin feel like I've just walked out of a spa. Now, even I will admit, the price is quite something. I actually got mine from a Birchbox/Selfridges offer so I got a 30ml sample (full size is 50ml) as one of five items for £15. Bargain of the year in my opinion and I'm going to use every last scrap of it! Realistically, this isn't affordable for most and definitely not for me but it is such a lovely cream - I need some alternative suggestions of this quality before I find myself taking out a credit card!

Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser RRP £4.19
Back down from the lofty heights of Elemis, another old favourite and my everyday moisturiser for all and any occasion. I have been coming back to this one for years and it just WORKS. It's light (as the name suggests), it's not greasy and it soaks in quick. Perfect for a hurried morning routine and as a base for make up.

As always, thank you for reading and please leave me some suggestions in the comments of products you're loving at the minute!

NSB x

Hey everyone. As voted on Twitter, I am going to be discussing my most loved foundations today. I did try and make a 'Top 5' list but when it came to it, there were only three that I consider my favourite and most loved foundations at the moment. So, I'll be awarding medals to three great products and maybe throwing in a couple of honourable mentions, we'll see how it goes!



In third place, (not a really strict ranking system, but I'll pretend to be organised), is the Maybelline Fit Me liquid foundation. This is a gel based formula designed to blend seamlessly with your skintone. I have this in the shade 115 Ivory but as you'll see in the swatches, it is actually the darkest of all the shades I own, mainly due to the strong pink undertones of this shade. The shade range is pretty limited here in the UK (you'll have to let me know if its different across the pond/English Channel).

The wear time is pretty good but you may be in need of touch ups. Of the three being mentioned this gives the most matte finish (not that any of them are truly matte) and because of this, it tends to be my favoured summer foundation when my skin is prone to a little more shine (and a little more pinkness). Lastly, the biggest strength it has is how lightweight it feels whilst still being build-able to a good medium coverage.



Second place is awarded to the long time beauty favourite, Revlon Colorstay for Normal/Dry skin which I have in the shade 110 Ivory. My one grievance with this product is the same as everybody else's I expect - why, in this day and age, is there not a pump?! Yes, I know you can buy them. Yes, I know it's not a big deal. But seriously, I'm messy enough without this minefield of spillages!

Anyway, packaging annoyance aside, this is a fantastic foundation. Very neutral toned which I love, blends beautifully and whilst it doesn't last the claimed 24 hours on my skin, it sure does last a long time. I never find that this separates or cakes throughout the day; I often mix (Maverick Alert!) this with the Maybelline Fit Me as together they give an absolutely gorgeous natural finish. I'm no scientist so don't ask me why, just try it and trust me. I also found that in my little flash photography test, this foundation performed the best to my eyes, looking the most even and radiant - something worth noting if you've got Facebook photo-tagging fear!



And you've guessed it, the make-shift gold medal goes to.....Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation! As much as I love the other two products mentioned, I actually LOOK FORWARD to using this foundation and I have to actively stop myself using it every single day to avoid it becoming Groundhog Day. I have the shade No51 Light Vanilla which is definitely a more neutral shade with yellowish undertones - not something I ever used to pick up but I have found that this foundation is able to completely counteract the redness of my face (my natural skin colour is pink, not unlike Peppa Pig). The coverage is amazing and leaves a natural to dewy finish; I know a lot of people prefer a matte finish but I've been converted to the glowing skin this product creates. I have also found that this foundation has a fantastic wear time on my dry skin with the added bonus that it feels so moisturising on the skin (and it smells of fruit, what's not to love?).

One thing to note, is that this foundation does take a little time to set. Top tip - once you have blended your foundation (and optional concealer) and you're happy with the overall finish, do not touch your face! For at least five minutes, check Instagram or write a short novel, just don't touch your face. After that small amount of time has elapsed, set the foundation very lightly with a translucent powder. Honestly, the extra time taken is more than worth it to make sure you get the perfect flawless finish.

Top to Bottom - Fit Me, Colorstay, Healthy Mix. Left to Right - Swatched, Blended, Under Flash Photography.

So, those are my top three of the moment but I will just put a word in for the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation - it is undoubtedly beautiful and if you ever find anywhere that sells it for less than £30, contact me immediately. And as always, let me know what your most loved foundations are in the comments below.

NSB x

Hey everyone - I hope you all had a suitably spooky Halloween! This post is one I've been planning for a while as it concerns what is probably my favourite beauty discovery of 2015 - drum roll please - liquid lipsticks! Now, for anyone who has not yet taken the plunge in to this relatively new beauty craze, a liquid lipstick is a lip colour formula which is applied as a liquid or mousse but dries matte and they are generally known for their big colour pay off and never ending wear time. What's not to love?

So, I'm going to round up my three favourite liquid lipsticks of the moment, in no particular order, as they all have their pros and cons (although not many cons if I'm being honest, I'm a total convert).



First up, Make Up Revolution's Salvation Velvet Lacquer which I got in the shades You Took My Love (a super bright, hot pink) and What I Believe (a light pink with a coral undertone). This formula has great staying power and a consistency which is very easy to control - which is just as well, as the only slight downside of this product is it's lightning fast drying time. Whilst this does allow you to get on with your day almost immediately, it also means you have to work fast to correct any mistakes; you've been warned, a steady hand goes a long way!



My favourite shade is You Took My Love, no question, it's the most beautifully bright and punchy colour and never looks patchy. The shade range spans from the lightest pink to the deepest plum with plenty of eye-catching colours in between. I think it's safe to say that for the amazing price of just £3, I'll be adding a few more to my collection.



Next on our journey through the land of lip colour is the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer which I have in the shade Reckless, a classic Hollywood red. These lacquers also retail at £3 each with a very similar shade range to the Salvation Velvet although I would say MUA are offering a slightly more wearable colour choice. One thing this product has in its arsenal for sure is how long wearing it is - this stuff DOES NOT MOVE. EVER. I genuinely had to do all my swatches of this colour last because it just doesn't go anywhere without some serious scrubbing and heavy duty make up remover. No word of a lie, I have worn this out for over 8 hours without touching up and it has looked almost exactly the same as when I first put it on. It's made of sorcery, for sure. But in the best possible way.

The formula is definitely the most liquid of all the products being reviewed which, again, does mean a careful application is key. This formula is also a little more drying than the Salvation Velvet Lacquer (which is probably a side product of the aforementioned sorcery) but, since it is immovable, you could definitely slick on some gloss or balm over the top throughout the day to combat this. One other thing to bear in mind with this lacquer is it's scent - it does have a very strong smell of what I can only liken to strawberry milk; I personally think it smells delicious but if you know you can't abide scented lip products, you may need to give this one a miss (or invest in a nose peg).



Our final stop on the Lipstick Express is to one of my much loved brands, Bourjois and their Rouge Edition Velvet liquid lipsticks. I have three of the available shades; Don't Pink Of It, So Hap'pink and Nude-ist. First thing to note, these are the most expensive at £8.99 but by no means unaffordable and secondly, they do offer the most shades (15 I can find so far at different stockists). However, you won't find any off-the-wall colours here - the shade differences are subtle and I would say that pretty much every shade is understated and wearable for any occasion.

Top - Bottom: Nude-ist, So Hap'pink, Don't Pink Of It

This product has a mousse-like texture - very light and almost an air-whipped feel which glides on to the lips. These also feel the most moisturising but do take the longest to set matte; unlike the others, you can't start slurping your cup of tea straight away. In terms of their longevity, they are absolutely more long lasting than a regular lipstick but I would say that you definitely need a liner to prolong the wear time as much as possible and to keep a neat finish.

Top Row L-R: Make Up Revolution Salvation Velvet Lacquer in You Took My Love & What I Believe, MUA Luxe Velvet in Reckless Bottom Row L-R: Bourjous Rouge Edition Velvet in Nude-ist, So Hap'pink and Don't Pink Of It

All of these products have a place in my make up bag, without a doubt. I love the Bourjois liquid lipstick for work or daytime errands as all of the shades are so easy to wear and seamlessly work for both relaxed looks and for those 'all dolled up' days. The MUA lacquer has become my staple red lip, perfect for a night out, or a more glamourous occasion, with the staying power to match. Not forgetting the colour wow-factor (and the beautiful packaging) offered by Make Up Revolution, if you're looking for a statement lip with an ultra-matte twist then these are a must-try.

Let me know of any liquid lippies YOU love in the comments section and don't forget to visit Northern Soul Beauty on Facebook for all the latest post updates.

Ciao For Now

NSB x

Happy Halloween everyone! As the month is drawing to a close and I will be too busy panic buying costume accessories on the 31st (shout out to anybody else who will be running from shop to shop trying to find a pitchfork/cat tail/feather duster), I am now going to round up my most loved products from the month of October.



To kick us off, I have fallen head over heels for a new cleanser this month - the MERUMAYA Melting Cleansing Balm. I actually came across this brand by way of a wad of packet samples included in a Latest In Beauty box. I have extremely sensitive skin and am covered in scars to prove it (generally from trying something new without reading the ingredients list in great detail) so I was wary of using anything new on my face, just in case it negated my requirement for a Halloween mask... However, I gave this a go and I can't remember the last time I have been so impressed by a skincare product. I am evangelical about this stuff! You massage this thick, silky balm on to dry skin (make up and all) and then add water to turn the balm in to a rich cleansing milk. It removes every remnant of foundation and leaves your skin feeling super soft and totally clear. If there's one product from this month that I will be purchasing a full size product of, it's this!



Another sample I had the privilege of trying this month was Benefit's Roller Lash mascara. I'd heard so many good things about Benefit mascaras but had never got around to trying one out - although believe me, I've loitered around the Benefit shop in Harvey Nichols enough times. What can I say? It really is a great product. I love a defining mascara for everyday and this wand does just that - a silicone bristle curved wand separates out lashes easily and as far as I can tell, has magical anti-clumping properties. Now, there are more affordable mascaras out there which I have also loved so I can absolutely understand someone having reservations over the price tag BUT, for me, if I were going to pay a little bit more on any of my make up staples, it would be on a fantastic mascara which I know I will use day in, day out. For that reason, I can definitely see this becoming a permanent fixture in my make up bag.



Now, the next two products are both lip products and both very recent purchases but I am so impressed I just had to include them. First up, the MUA Anti-Bleed Lip Liner in Clear - I've never tried a universal lip liner before and I feel like I've struck gold already. I have never used a lip liner with such ability to cling on to your lip colour - last night I ate a three course meal and drank a large glass of wine (okay, it was a bottle but who's judging?) and when I went to check my make up, my lipstick had not moved AT ALL -  unheard of for me as I am a notoriously messy eater and can often be seen wiping Chardonnay drips from my chin. When I came to take my make up off later, it still wouldn't budge; this might sound like a negative but I personally am nothing short of astounded when a product is so long-wearing that you need a scouring pad to remove it.



The second lip product I have to mention is the True Colour Lipstick from Sleek MakeUP in the shade Mystic. This is the most beautiful and vivid purplish pink colour and is completely matte (my favourite). The formula is typical of a matte finish I would say, I never expected it to be as creamy or moisturising as a satin finish product. That isn't to say it's uncomfortable though, you can get fantastic colour pay off from only a thin layer, so much so that you are likely forget that your lips have the vibrancy of a fireworks display. Also, paired with the MUA lip liner (which I'm still convinced employs some kind of witchcraft), it has great longevity and after hours of wear, only faded ever so slightly to a less neon fuchsia shade.



Finally, something to help you cling on to summer whilst soothing your dry winter skin - COWSHED's Gorgeous Cow (I know, thanks) Blissful Body Lotion. This moisturiser definitely has my favourite scent of all the COWSHED products I have tried - I don't know what most of the components are but that's half the fun. The combination of ylang ylang, rose, palmarosa (side note - palma violets were great weren't they?) and lavender creates a fabulously sweet fragrance - I'm often told I smell like a sweet shop, I can see why now. I find this is almost like a body butter it's so hydrating and yet it soaks in to your skin fast which means no waiting around before you can throw on a make-shift costume and scare the trick or treaters!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my favourites this month and remember - you're never too old to cut two holes in your bed sheet and scare the neighbours!

NSB x