New Beauty Picks by Lancôme

Lancôme is a brand I've used on and off throughout the years, starting with their cult juicy tubes and their Hypnôse mascara yet I've never tried their base products. With the unveiling of the newest kid on the block, Teint Idole Ultra Cushion and some beautiful cushioned blushes now was the time.

Sunshine & Leaves

Are we all feeling suitably autumnal? I've never been so sick of seeing a word in all my life so with my hatred of the word and pumpkin spiced lattes I found a beautiful park, a heap of leaves and jumped around while Rachel took photos of me, Standard coffee date for bloggers right?!

Halloween Hotspot Collection Sleek Makeup

On Friday, I shared Sleek Makeup's gorgeous Goodnight Sweetheart collection and now I'm sharing another brand spanking new collection for Halloween. The Halloween Hotspot collection was released 21st September and features three Lip VIP lipsticks, a liquid eyeliner and another, beautiful highlighting palette to rival the ever popular Solstice highlighting palette.

Lush Halloween 2016 Haul

Yesterday, I posted about the entire Lush Halloween 2016 range and while being shown what was new in, I also did a little shopping. I haven't gone mad in Lush for ages and as this is my favourite time of year for their products, it was well overdue. I grabbed the nearest basket and started filling it up with all things Halloween and I'm so happy to have Lord of Misrule back in my life.

Lush Halloween is here

Lush Cosmetics launched this year's Halloween range yesterday and being the kinda girl that likes to give, I dragged my arse to Lush Southampton to get photos of ALL the new range to show you guys! Caring soul, aren't I? That might be a slight lie though because I also did a little shopping which I shall be showing you in tomorrow's post.

Goodnight Sweetheart Sleek Makeup

Sleek Makeup have been creating hit after hit this year and they're back again with their newest limited edition collection, Goodnight Sweetheart. Released a couple of weeks ago, the range compromises of three Lip VIP lipsticks and another beautiful i-Divine eyeshadow palette. The collection is based around the idea of losing yourself in romantic evenings, cosy dinners and nights by an open fire and the shades available nail that perfectly.

September Birchbox Heroes

A new month, a new Birchbox and this month's theme for September is Heroes, a chance to celebrate inspiring women and praise their accomplishments. The box is designed by subscriber Philippa Colliass and features candy, stripped chevrons in the draw style again which I love. I hope this is a new thing going forward for Birchbox as they're so much more practical.

New In - Jay Manuel Beauty

Remember the good old days of classic America's Next Top Model with the original queen, Tyra Banks and the ever faithful Jay Manuel? Those were the days! So you can imagine my excitement when I heard on the beauty-vine that Jay Manuel was launching his very own beauty line available in the UK via QVC. Jay Manuel Beauty launched this September, I've been trying out some of the high performance, photo finish products to see what they're really like.

Clarins & Feed Projects

Over the last two years, Clarins and FEED Projects have been collaborating to bring a gift with purchase as well as being a social purpose. From the 18th September until the 1st October, Clarins are offering their customers a gift with purchase with a twist when buying two of their products, one to be skincare. Read on to find out more.

Anastasia Illuminator in Riviera

Being a highlight obsessive, I have lusted after the Anastasia Illuminators for some time so when I found Riviera inside my Best of USA Beauty Box from Beauty Bay I almost peed with excitement. I'd seen so many Instagram posts with this displayed proudly that it was the first thing I grabbed out of the box to look at and I couldn't get my photos done quick enough so I could use it.

New In Homeware

I've always loved buying homeware but it's so much more fun when you have your own home to furnish. I'm forever hunting for new bits and pieces to give our home more of an us feel and buying decorative pieces is my favourite. With the colder months fast approaching I've been making sure I have a steady supply of candles as there is nothing more homely than the flicking light of a candle while snuggling down for the night.

My First Makeup Geek Products

For months I have seen Makeup Geek products doing the rounds on blogs so I was more than happy when I opened the Beauty Bay Miami Box to find some products of my very own. Makeup Geek was created by Youtuber Marlena and the makeup brand now has a huge fan base. Makeup Geek aim to make applying makeup easy and fun. There are numerous videos on multiple makeup looks on the website that make it simple and enjoyable which is perfect for someone like me that needs to see someone else do something before going ahead with it myself. I received three products in the Beauty Bay box so I thought I'd share my thoughts on them...

Volume Powder - Highend or Bargain?

Volume powder is my best friend as half the time it doubles up as dry shampoo and when I'm out of my trusty Batiste, this is what I tend to use. I bang on about how good the Bumble & Bumble Pret a Powder is quite regularly but understandably most people recoil at the price so after discovering the Schwarzkopf Got2B Powder'ful I thought I'd put them both to the test. There's around a £18.00 price difference in the two but if the sizes were the same they'd be the same price more or less. I'll fill you in below and then give you my verdict on the two powders...

MAC Lipstick Collection

It's been a long time since I've shared an updated MAC Lipstick Collection post on Annie Writes Beauty and I have reduced my collection by quite a bit. After branching out into new brands and finding other lipstick products I love, I decided to part ways with most of my collection because they were unworn, unloved and just sitting there....

Drugstore Favourites - Barry M

I couldn't do a Drugstore Favourites series without including my nail heroes, Barry M Cosmetics. I do like a few different brands but the majority of my collection is from Barry M as there are so many shades, finishes and formulas available. My favourite as you can probably tell is the Gelly Hi-Shine range. The range gives a gel effect to nails making them ultra glossy and sassy.

Drugstore Favourites - WetnWild

I'd seen Wet n Wild featured on blogs for ages but as it's not available in the UK, I haven't been able to try anything but while on holiday in Spain I picked up some products and shared them in my Spanish Drugstore Haul. The products are insanely cheap and I really hope they land on our shores soon because there is so much more I want to try. Out of the pieces I bought I have some clear favourites and that's what I'm sharing in today's Drugstore Favourites post.

Drugstore Favourites - Seventeen

Seventeen is like Natural Collection's cooler sister, both are Boots brands and both have a completely different range of style and product. Again, this is a brand I've used since my teens but in recent years they've really upped what they have available. Seventeen isn't as cheap as Natural Collection but they're still a lot cheaper than some brands on the market and you can pick yourself up so treats for under a fiver. Here are five products I love... 

Easy on the Eye in The Big Smoke £7.99 - 

The Big Smoke comprises of eight matte, shimmer and pearl powders, three metallic creams and an eye primer all in one handy palette. I'm so use to seeing easy neutral palettes so The Big Smoke is a great change if nudes aren't your thing. All the shades are soft and blendable enabling you to create easy, smokey eye looks. There is a fair bit of fall out but nothing a quick tap of the brush won't fix. It's a great dupe for Urban Decay Smoky. 

Define & Conquer Contour Kit £5.99 - 

Contouring is still as huge as it was in 2015 and many cheaper brands have released great alternatives that don't break the bank. The Define & Conquer kit has one highlighting shade and one contouring shade, both of which are matte. It's a great beginners kit as it also comes with a how to kind so if you're pretty clueless like me, this will definitely be your friend. The powders are creamy and blend well, although there is some slight fall out. 

Instant Glow Shimmer Brick in Gold Bronze £4.99 - 

The Seventeen Shimmer Bricks are the Bobbi Brown's of the highstreet and just as fab, if not better in my opinion. I have both of these but Gold Bronze is the one I use the most. You just sweep the brush across all four shades to create a beautiful sunkissed glow to skin. If champagne bronzer is more your thing then you'll love Pink Bronze. 

Stay Time 25 Hour Foundation £6.49 - 

If you've followed me for a while you'll know how much I love this foundation. I have told numerous people to buy it, with each of them reporting back how much they also love it. Put your full coverage foundations away because this is the only one you'll need. I've linked my review in the title so go have a read and let me know if you buy it too! 

Skin Wow Primer £5.99 - 

This isn't usually a product I would like but it's such a fab tool to have in your kit. The Skin Wow primer is a multi-use product that works as a primer, added glow for your foundation or as a liquid highlighter to give your skin a luminous glow. With a handy pump to control how much you use, you can create the most beautiful dewy finish. 

Do you use any products from Seventeen? What are your favourites?

Drugstore Favourites - Natural Collection

Today's budget brand is Natural Collection which has been on the shelves in Boots for 25 years and was the very first makeup brand I ever used. All their products start at £1.99 but don't let the price fool you, there are some really fab products available and they're all cruelty free too. Three of the products in this post I have been using and regularly buying for fifteen years so you're sure to find something new to try...

Drugstore Favourites - Sleek Makeup

As much as I love a high-end purchase I do like a bargain so this week on Annie Writes Beauty I thought I'd share five of my favourites from some drugstore brands. Today I'm sharing a few favourites from Sleek Makeup which is available online, Superdrug and Boots. All of Sleek Makeup's products come in black, matte packaging and prices start from £1.99.

Sebamed Skincare Guest Post by Halo of Thoughts

Today's post is a take on skin from a male perspective from Arran at Halo of Thoughts...

After being constantly told I need to implement a daily skin routine, I have been using Sebamed Skincare for the last 28 days. The products are formulated using high purity ingredients that aim to take care of your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. With a PH value of 5.5, Sebamed aims to keep your skin at its healthiest.