The Perfect Pink Lipstick: NARS Audacious Lipstick Shade in Natalie & Precious Lip Liner in Menton

Do you ever find yourself being talked in to a beauty product by someone, that you really don't need but you just get so drawn in by their passion and enthusiasm, that suddenly you're making your way to the till point with said product in hand? Because that's exactly what happened to me when I went to the Glamour Beauty Festival in London last month, and came away with a NARS Audacious Lipstick in the shade Natalie, and Precision Lip Liner in the shade Menton.

I totally don't blame the makeup artist who did my makeup for me that day - they didn't know I was a weak individual with a lipstick addiction! And if anything I'm glad that I made the purchase because I've inadvertently found my SS18 shades.

When they did my makeup, they described combining this lipstick and liner together as a soft ombre. The shades beautifully complement one another and create a really stunning tropical pink-coral look that just looks gorgeous with a bit of a summer glow (or tinted moisturiser if you have to fake it like me!)

Both products glide onto your lips, and are really creamy and comfortable to wear. They're described on NARS' site as having a 'soft-matte long-lasting finish' and I can totally vouch for this. They're highly pigmented, and just as vibrant as they look in their packaging - they really don't lose any of their colour when applied. In terms of longevity, I found both my liner and lipstick to be in tact still by midday, though the lipstick did need to be reapplied just to keep that flawless finish. I did get a little bit of smudging the first couple of times I wore this, because I was a little over zealous with the product, but once you realise that a little goes a long way you'll fall in love with these.

I literally do not have a bad word to say about either product, and considering this is my first time venturing into NARS' range of lip products, I haven't been disappointed at all. In fact, if you'll excuse me I just have to go and discover some more of their shades to add to my growing collection..

Have you found your Spring / Summer 2018 lipstick colour yet?

Until next time..

Georgina ♡

My Mexican Getaway - Akumal Beach Bay and Wellness Resort

Nearly a year later, I'm finally writing a post on my holiday to Mexico. For various reasons, I've not written this sooner, but having a major case of wanderlust on my hands, I think that now is the best time to reflect on the incredible resort I was lucky enough to be able to call my home for ten days last May.

When booking Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort, I knew to expect luxury, zen and stunning surroundings. I'd spent weeks in the run up re-reading the many TripAdvisor reviews and finding out as much as I could about the area. Having cast my eyes over the idyllic beach pictures for months on end, I thought I was prepared for the scenic beachside views, but I can honestly say that even thinking back to my holiday now, I can not get over how beautiful the resort was.

Greeted with smiles, cooling towels and a cocktail that escapes my memories now, from the moment I set foot into the resort I knew that this holiday would be one of those 'once in a lifetime' kind of events. Having only stayed in all-inclusive hotels in Europe up until this point, it was eye opening for me to experience what I can only describe as absolute luxury.

The room was simple, but incredibly clean and had the perk of being on the ground floor (you wouldn't normally consider this a perk but wait for it!) which led out straight onto the beach. I spent many mornings rising early to go and stand and watch the sun rise over the ocean, rocking away in one of the cosy beach hammocks.

The selection of food available was extensive. There were all the usual home suspects you'd be familiar with, but also an array of Mexican delights to try. The highlight for me was the never ending supply of fresh fruit and fish, and don't even get me started on how amazing the guacamole and fresh salsa was. It's not difficult to go away and indulge in all the wrong foods, but at Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort, there were so many fresh, healthy and tasty choices, it would've been a crime to choose chips over the authentic creations available.

What's more is that there are four different restaurants on site, that offer a finer dining experience. We ended up eating in the dining hall for breakfast and lunch, but using the restaurants every evening. The impeccable service, themed cuisine and wonderful atmosphere meant that these restaurants were an integral part of our stay. For more casual meals, there was a fresh sushi bar on the beach where you could choose your sushi and see it be made up in front of you - teamed with a pina colada I was in culinary heaven!

From day to day there was lots of activities going on at the hotel, from yoga sessions to tequila tasting, if you found yourself tired of the beach (I'm a sun worshipper so definitely wasn't!) then there was plenty to explore. I actually tried numerous activities both in and outside of the resort. from swimming in a cenote (a type of underwater cave), to a freshwater lagoon, as well as paddleboarding in the ocean, swimming with sea turtles and even quad biking through the Mexican jungle. Anyone who knows me will know heights is my number one fear, and I even found myself zip wiring across a Mexican jungle, after climbing up a ridiculously high platform that wouldn't have passed health and safety laws in this country!

I would return to Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort in a heartbeat. The combination of breathtaking beach views, unparalleled service and just the feeling of being in a relaxing, safe and restful environment allowed me to experience Mexico in a way that I didn't even know was possible. It's not difficult to understand why so many people return to this resort year after year, affectionately referring to it as there home under the sun.

Until next time..

Georgina ♡

Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation - Does it really last 24 hours?

As a member of the Glamour Beauty Club, I was invited to give a sample of Dior's Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation a whirl. Let me just first say upfront that this isn't a sponsored post, and the sample I received was purely to try out, with no expectation of me heading to my blog to write about it. I've chosen to feature this foundation on my blog because I love high-coverage products, and want to share it with you all.

Though I'm fake tanning until the sun comes back to the UK (roll on summer!) I chose to try shade 010 Ivory. I always find it so hard to colour match foundations online, so I figured if I went for the lightest shade even if it's too light I can make it work as a concealer, or for contouring.

It actually turned out that Ivory was the perfect shade for me when it arrived, something I was surprised about because I don't consider myself to be really pale at all and I'm never usually the lightest shade. Perhaps that's something for everyone else to consider if they go to purchase this product. There are 26 different shades though, which is okay versatility wise, but maybe doesn't go light enough. A lot of people are calling brands to follow in the steps of Fenty Beauty, and being more inclusive to all skin tones, which I definitely support.

The foundation claims it offers three things: "Full coverage, 24 hour wear and second-skin matte finish." All very bold statements, I put my tester to the test!

The first thing I noticed was how little you needed to get a full face of makeup, the tester tube actually lasted me three days! The foundation just keeps blending when you apply it, and feels smooth and lightweight, despite it being full coverage. I really liked this about the product, because it can be really off putting to feel like your skin is caked in goop. This also meant it settled on the skin quickly, and I had no problems putting bronzer on top.

It definitely does have a matte finish when first applied, so I felt I didn't need to set it with powder, but by midday I did have a little sheen on the oilier areas of my face. In terms of longevity, if you're not rushing around and are staying indoors, I can believe this foundation would last up to 24 hours. If you're walking in British weather, or being a busy bee up and down the stairs, you will notice this foundation start to disappear in some areas.

One of the best things about this foundation though, is that Dior claim it to be non-transferable. Have you ever been on the phone and ended the call only to find your foundation on the screen? Well there's none of that with this. I'm sure it's dependant on how much you apply, but I liked it's stay-put longevity.

I think this foundation would be a must-have for a night out or special occasion, applied with primer and set with powder to ensure its lasting power. I'd probably purchase this for myself, but might wait until Autumn, as I think it might be a little too heavy for summer when I like to strip my makeup back a little. Overall though, it's a fantastic foundation if you like full-coverage, so why not get yourself to a Dior makeup counter and get a sample to try out for yourself!

Until next time..

Georgina ♡