L'Oreal True Match Foundation

It's been mentioned before I can get stuck into a bit of a foundation rut sometimes. Once I find one I really really like I'm stuck with it. This from L'Oreal is no different. You can't argue with the price, the finish, the lasting power.. I could go on.

This genuinely does last me all day and stays even better if paired with a primer. You can very easily build up coverage but it feels lightweight on the skin - exactly what I look for in a foundation. It's finish is semi matte so it works well for dry or oily skin. The True Match range offer a fantastic variety of shades. With my pale problems I opt for the lightest one which is perfect for my skin tone. It blends really well and I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply (and they really do work like a dream together). 

Have you tried L'Oreal True Match Foundation?

Christmas Gift Guide: Stocking Fillers

Day two of 'Blogmas' brings my first Christmas gift guide of the year. By some miracle I have held off this long before talking about the C word when in reality I have been excited since September. Warning: a little beauty heavy and I've gone mad in terms of beauty novelty products. Oops.

Yankee Candle Gift Set (£7.99) - We all know someone who is a crazy candle lady (or man). This set contains five classic scents for the festive season.

No7 Cracker (£8) - Novelty? Check. Rose gold packaging? Check. A lovely little treat containing a kohl eye liner pencil and mascara. 

Simple Gift Set (£7.50) - For the skincare shy I'd recommend this set. The moisturiser included is one of my favourites. Don't forget the cute cosmetics bag too.

Soap & Glory Bauble Gift (£6) - More novelty but so so so cute. Who doesn't love one of the adorable gift sets Soap & Glory have on offer?

Benefit Stocking (£15 in store only) - This is possibly the best gift idea I've ever seen. You mix and match four mini products from Benefit and pop them into this cute stocking. 

Have you got any Christmas gift ideas?

Music Monday: Gigs Of The Year

Kicking off 'Blogmas' this year is my top five gigs of the year. I've seen some pretty amazing bands in 2014 but one gig in particular outdid them all. Though I'll admit it was pretty hard choosing the rest!

So here you are, my top five gigs of the year..

• 5. The Enemy - I watched the trio from Coventry at a local venue - small, sweaty and spectacular. There was just something about singing 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' along with another couple of hundred local people around you. Controversial statement coming up here but I'd go as far as saying they are one of the most amazing live bands around. The louder the better.

• 4. The Libertines - Back in July I jumped on a train down to London and was all set for a day in Hyde Park watching live music. The Libertines headlined for 'British Summer Time' and if I'm honest with you this gig could of been a little higher up the list if it wasn't for the shambles of organisation on the day. Some of my favourite bands playing across three stages. Sadly, these said stages were just a little too small for the crowds it had attracted. However, seeing The Libertines back together was truly something special to witness. 

• 3. Arctic Monkeys - Another trip to London but this time the stage was set at Finsbury Park. First let's talk support acts - amazing. An unreal line up of Royal Blood, Miles Kane and Tame Impala. With Mr Kane edging it for me out of that lot. I did find something a little strange about the atmosphere for the 'Monkeys' though - like a lot of people who were in attendance were just there for a few odd songs they heard on the radio one time. Despite this and some idiot thinking it was hilarious to urinate up my leg I can safely say Arctic Monkeys know how to put on a show. And who got to see Miles Kane sing a The Last Shadow Puppets tune with Alex Turner? I DID!

• 2. The Courteeners - I know they're my favourite band and all that so it's no real surprise to see them clock in at number two but hand on heart I can say that was the best show I've seen the band put on. The new album that came out in the summer has been stuck on repeat for months so I was like an excited child to hear the new songs live. And of course the old favourites sounded as perfect as ever. Also, two words for you - Liam Fray. *hearts in the eyes emoji*

• 1. Kasabian - I'll be honest here in the days upcoming to this gig I was massively unsure. The support acts that had just been announced were nowhere near as good as the rumours (which was probably why I sat in the pub until they were over with). I don't know why I had any doubts though, There was a reason I'd been so desperate to see this band live for so long. In my opinion there is no better live band out there today. So it's no shock that I'm overly excited to see them again in the middle of this month in Manchester. 

So there we have it - Kasabian won it this year for me.

Have you seen anyone live this year I haven't mentioned?

Any bands worth checking out?

Winter Wishlist

For a while now I've been trying to add pieces to my wardrobe that I can class as 'style staples'. Pattern after pattern hang next to each other and it made putting outfits together a little bit of a struggle. I'm not willing to cut out patterns completely as you can tell from my latest wishlist though. 

• H&M Checked Skirt (£19.99)
• River Island Grey Turtle Neck Dress (£32)
• H&M Beaded Clutch Bag (£24.99)
• Office Leopard Pony Effect Ankle Boots (£75)
• River Island Tartan Check Blanket Scarf (£15)
• New Look Fine Knit Boxy Top (£12.99)
• BooHoo High Neck Swing Dress (£20)

I'm really into boxy fit tops at the moment so I love the knitted option from New Look. Recently I picked up a lovely grey coat and it needs a new scarf friend to go with it - River Island are on point this Winter in the accessory department. I've been looking out for a statement clutch bag for the upcoming party season and H&M have won the clutch battle this time. Lately I've been enjoying wearing 3/4 sleeved dresses as I find them to be the most flattering so I definitely want to stock up on a few more.

What are you lusting after this Winter?

Current Favourites

I should probably start my latest post by only one way and that's apologising for going missing from my little corner of the internet, otherwise known as What Lauren Says. I'd constantly get urges to blog but wasn't quite motivated to turn that into words. Well, words that were actually worth reading. Never fear though as I bring you my current favourites. I want to mix it up a little from now on - instead of just bringing you beauty ramblings. So expect a little bit of everything that interests me, excites me and enhances me! 

theBalm cosmetics Nude Tude Eyeshadow Palette (£26) - I lusted after this palette for months and months, read countless reviews until I couldn't keep myself away for much longer. The pigmentation and lasting power of these shadows are up there with the best. No exaggeration in that they last all day even without primer. There's a great variety to choose from in terms of shades - making it perfect for travel purposes. I've been really enjoying pairing 'Stand-offish' and 'Selfish' together to create a smoky eye. 

VO5 Plump It Up Dry Shampoo (£3.59) - In the past I've found with other dry shampoos that they can get used up very quickly but with this offering from VO5 it seems to last ages. It does it's job as a dry shampoo when your hair wash day is touch and go but it adds volume to the hair very well. I love adding this to the roots to stop my hair from looking flat. 

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer (£12.99) - A little on the pricier side for a drugstore primer but hear me out. I can understand where the name 'perfect blur' came from with this product. My skin genuinely appears and feels to be almost airbrushed shall we say with this primer. It helps to keep my base in place all day and concealer touch ups have become a lot less for me. 

Lindsey Kelk - I Heart New York (£7.99) - Kelk has become one of my favourite authors. This book had me hooked. When I say hooked I mean in read the whole I Heart series in less than two weeks. Her writing style is such an easy read which has me giggling when I shouldn't be. I can't wait to read more about the antics Angela Clarke gets up to once again in the next instalment. 

Courteeners - Concrete Love (£8.99) - It's no secret that Courteeners are my favourite band. Their fourth album has been on repeat for months. Concrete Love is a very different sound to their previous material but Liam Fray's relate able lyrics are very present on the latest record. My favourite tracks are 'How Good It Was', 'Small Bones', 'Saboteur' and 'Next Time You Call'. 

So that's it for my first post back in forever but fear not I have plenty of posts lined up, Also, I will be participating in Blogmas this year (I attempted last year but miserably failed but ssh).