Unfortunately, Summer is upon us and we all know what that means, apart from the beach, late nights and BBQ's, it means colours. Every designers SS14 collection is all colour everything and there's no getting away from it. If, like me, you stick to the safe options of black and white, a small pop of colour is needed, c'mon you have to admit it. No, I'm not talking about purchasing a bright fuchsia top or bold mandarin skirt, but simply sprucing up something that lays before us. Fingernails! A flick of colour on the talons and any monochrome outfit is Summer appropriate! 

My favourite picks for Summer and SS14 in particular, range from pastels to bright bold colours to colours that can be worn all year round. 

In clockwise order:

Maybelline New York // 24

Avon Speed Dry 30 // Ballerina

Barry M // Cyan Blue

H&M // I'm Not A Kiwi

Barry M Gelly // Mango

Topshop // Profound

No7 Stay Perfect // (The name has rubbed off)

Barry M // Blueberry

Avon Speed Dry 30 // On The Go Pink

What are your must have SS14 nail varnish colours? 

Bethany x

I came across this tag whilst, surprisingly, searching for an interesting beauty tag. Hopefully it'll give you an insight into my history of past makeup mistakes and how the once "on special occasions" treat became an obsessive ritual. 

This is a bit of a beefy post, so arm yourself with a cuppa tea and some nibbles, and get reading!

1// Do you remember your first makeup item?

As far as I can remember, I've always had makeup which I used for dance shows since I was about 3. I didn't start "properly" wearing makeup until I was in Year 6 - if you count tinted moisturiser and lip balm as makeup. So technically my first makeup item was Natural Collection's £1.99 Tinted Moisturiser, well that says it all really. I used to apply it all over my face with a makeup sponge and then smother my lips in my favourite fruity lip balm at the time. 

2// Describe your perfect mascara? Have you found one that meets your specifications?

The answer to this, is a big fat no. Finding the "perfect" mascara has to be harder than finding the "perfect" foundation, and that's saying something! I've lost count at the number of mascaras I've tried, you name a mascara and I've probably tried it (and hated it). Personally, I look for one that puts length over volume, as I prefer having longer lashes to volumised ones. From past experiences, I've found that mascaras that specialise in volumising your lashes usually flake and makes them look spidery and unnatural. The closest I've ever got to the perfect lash look is by layering different ones. Currently, I use L'Oreal Paris's Volume Million Lashes with No.7's Extreme Length and it seems to do the job for now. Carry on the perfect mascara search party!

3// What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?

It has to be medium to heavy coverage. I mean what's the point in a light foundation coverage - all or nothing. The higher the coverage the less product used - uh hello smart saving. No but seriously I do love a good old heavy coverage foundation, it changes the look of my face and I like that. 

4// Favourite High End Brand?

Urban Decay, Urban Decay all the way! From palettes to primers, they come out on top for me. Closely followed by Bobbi Brown, Urban Decay never fails to impress, I mean c'mon, who has ever heard anyone say "I hate the Naked palettes." That's right, no one. 

5// What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven't?

Oh boy, there's too many! But my top three has to be Nars; especially the Sheer Matte Foundation, Laura Mercier, who hasn't heard good reviews about her products, and finally and I guess I would like to give MAC a try. 

6// Favourite drugstore brands?

You'll be lying if you say you don't have a guilty pleasure for MUA. Even if their palettes aren't that good for your skin, the colours are still on point! For nails, it has to be Barry M, they always have exciting limited editions and more colour choices than Essie. 

7// Do you wear false eyelashes?

On a day-to-day basis, I would love to but I don't. I literally, physically can not put them on properly. However, if I'm getting ready with someone for a party/special occasion then why the hell not! 

8// Is there any kind of makeup you can't leave the house without?

I would love for the answer of this to be no, but unfortunately that's not the case. I have unbelievably oily skin and look shiny 24/7. The only thing that can control this is powder. I'm not a type of person who has to top up their makeup every 20 seconds but if I feel like my face (especially my nose) is getting a tad oily, then then Rimmel London's Stay Matte Power and a Kabuki brush make an appearance. 

9// What is your most cherished beauty product?

I've only recently started to become brave enough to wear lipstick and so my new Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Pale Pink has to be my most cherished beauty product because it means a lot to me - even though since that purchase I've bought 3 more to add to my collection (oops!). 

10// How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get lots of goodies all at once?  

I'd say I purchase at least a couple of makeup items every week. Some weeks it's a crazy splurge and others is a let's-be-serious-here mood that makes me see sense and my makeup buys fall down to only a couple. 

11/ Do you have a "beauty budget" or do you spend freely?

Why did this question have to exist?! Now I've seen this, my good side has realised how much of a clever idea this is and it's probably going to become a new rule of mine - brilliant. 

Goodbye freely spending Bethany. 

12// Do you utilise coupons, rewards cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

Hell yeah! Most of my beauty buys are swayed by them being on offer or me having a coupon for them. Luckily, this does make them a less guilty purchase but still most of the time they are unnecessary. 

13// What type of product do you buy most of?

It has to be foundation. Almost on par with the struggle that is finding the perfect mascara, finding the perfect foundation is still an ongoing mission of mine. From drugstore to high end concession, from every review to recommendation, the perfect foundation is still out there, I just can't seem to find it. 

14// Is there a brand that you absolutely can't stand?

I can't stand Benefit. Their packaging just sends out a piss take vibe and to me it seems like a joke. I've tried many a time to try and warm to it but I just can't seem to. Three of my freebies from my last post are Benefit and I'm hoping this is the final push into me being able to tolerate the brand. I mean, imagine if THE foundation is by Benefit and I'm too stubborn to try it, I've just got to bite the bullet and give them a go. 

15// Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?

It's always a bonus when products don't have certain ingredients but I mean, who really cares anymore. 

16// Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup?

Where ever stocks what I'm looking for is usually where I go, but sometimes I look around online for the cheapest place. However, one day I'd love to shop at Sephora, it looks so beautiful!

17// Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep to a certain routine? 

I prefer to keep to the same until my skin gets used to it and then I go review reading crazy and find the next best thing!

18// Favourite bath and body brand?

Generally I usually buy what's on offer but The Body Shop never fail and their products always smell great - bonus! 

19// If you could only buy from one brand, what would it be?

I'm torn between Bobbi Brown and Urban Decay....I'll get back to you on that. 

20// What brand do you think has the best packaging?

I love the Nars packaging because it's simple and black (who doesn't love black) but it's a sucker for foundation and finger marks, so it has to be Bobbi Brown. 

21// Which celebrity always has great makeup?

Kim Kardashian. Need I say more?

22// Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

No and I'm glad, otherwise this obsession could get out of hand. 

23// Favourite Beauty Guru?

Who doesn't love a bit of Zoella, eh?! 

24// Do you like multifunctional products like Lip and Cheek Stains?

I don't really trust multifunctional products if I'm honest. Even though I use eyeshadow to fill in my eyebrows, products such as Lip and Cheek Stains don't appeal to me. 

25// Are you clumsy when putting on makeup?

I think everyone is, especially when in a rush. However, if I have time, taking care in how I apply my makeup is a major concern. 

26// Do you use a makeup base/primer for your eyes?

Funny that this came up as was recently researching which brand has good eye primers. Watch this space. 

27// How many hair products do you use on a typical day?

All in all, not that many. If I wash it, it's just shampoo then conditioner. Blowdrying it adds another in the form of a heat protecter. However if I don't wash it, dry shampoo becomes my best friend. 

28// What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

I used to apply concealer then foundation but one day I did it the other way around and haven't gone back since. 

29// Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?

I'd love to! One day I think I would just so I can reassure myself that what I'm doing is right! However, my makeover with Bobbi Brown was partly a lesson/tutorial as well and everything she did is similar, if not the same, to what I do anyway - phew!

30// What do you love about makeup?

Oh boy, where do I start! I love how many versatile looks you can create with makeup and how it can be tailored to everybody. But the thing I most love is how it can make me look polished and airbrush out any flaws - especially spots. Hallelujah to makeup!

Wow, it has finally come to an end! I hope that wasn't too bad. Stay tuned for another post coming soon. 

I tag you to do this 30 Beauty Question Tag!

Bethany x

Wait what? Who on earth thought wearing makeup to the beach was a thing? But if you're skin isn't on top form, there's some pesky spots on the horizon, if you're face isn't 100% "beach ready" then makeup is, quite frankly, a must.  

Base

No one wants a heavy foundation in sweat-worthy heat, so stick to a light BB, CC or even DD cream, yes DD cream (sigh). High end or drugstore, it's all about trial and error, finding the one that's best for you - any excuse for a cheeky splurge. 

Eyes

Forget about the eyeshadow and eyeliner. Curl your lashes and apply some mascara, waterproof mascara (obviously). Bourjois' Volume 1 Seconde Mascara at £9.99 is an investment worth making, not only for beach days but also stay-at-home-movie days where you find yourself uncontrollably sobbing at The Notebook. 

Or, if worst comes to worst and hayfever strikes, whack on a pair of sunnies, no problemo. 

Lips

Don't go for anything special. Get yourself and tropical flavoured lip balm, and that'll make you feel like you're on holiday. Try Balmi's Coconut Lip Balm Cube, it's pocket sized and cooler than stick shaped balms.  

The Remover

Now the hype has gone down about L'OREAL's Micellar Water, other makeup removers can shine through, including Bobbi Brown's £17.50 Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover. Only needing to use maximum of 2 cotton pads per face, this claims to not leave the annoying oily residue afterwards, winner. 

And there you have it, makeup made for the beach or the less beach ready of us. On occasion, give you're skin a break and use a trip to the beach an excuse to do so. 

What are you favourite beach beauty products? 

Bethany x