A Peek Inside My Daily Makeup Bag (& A SPACE.NK Wishlist!)

I don't know about you, but I'm a little bit obsessed with seeing how people do their makeup on an everyday basis. It's so handy to know about those staple basics that work every time and make it an absolute breeze to look polished within a matter of minutes, which means more time for breakfast... right?

For my base I'm a big fan of the L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24h-Matte Foundation in '10 Porcelain' as it covers everything I need it to without looking flat or cakey, and everything from dark circles to pigmentation is banished by the Bobbi Brown Correction in 'Porcelain Bisque'. As the foundation leaves a matte finish and has amazing lasting power I skip powder and move straight onto eyes, applying the KIKO Cream Crush Lasting Colour Eyeshadow in '05 - Pearly Silver Rose' with a flat synthetic brush and blending a little of the shade 'Frisk' from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette into the crease. Some days I'll smudge 'Frisk' and 'Cover'/'Primal' under the lower lashline also, then I give myself deep-black voluminous lashes with the Lancôme Hypnôse Volume-à-Porter Mascara.

A quick flush of colour high on the cheeks looks extra pretty in spring, and I adore the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in 'Lavish Mauve' or the Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in 'Amp'd Up Apple' for a healthy natural glow. The Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette is a great option when you're on the move, and a makeup look isn't complete for me without a touch of The Balm Mary- Lou Manizer so I add a tiny amount to the tops of my cheekbones and under my brows, before defining them with the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil in 'Blondeshell' then setting them in place with the Benefit Gimme Brow. To pull the look together I apply a lipstick or liner and I switch those up pretty regularly - Charlotte Tilbury 'Bond Girl' and Tanya Burr Cosmetics 'Macaroon' are well-loved - but recently I've been opting for the Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in 'Rose' a lot as it's such a flattering neutral pink and is so comfortable to wear.

These are such tried and tested items for me that this is my go-to look, I can be ready to face the world in under five minutes and it's perfect for various occasions.

As a beauty lover I'm constantly on the lookout for new items to add to my arsenal and always love discovering hero products that I can rotate into my daily makeup bag, so I was really excited to see that Farfetch have a new beauty section in collaboration with SPACE.NK.apothecary. I've put together my five top picks that are highest on my wishlist!

1. Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

2. Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial 

3. By Terry Ombre Blackstar

4. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

5. Oribe Signature Shampoo

Have you got any go-to products that I need to try? Let me know what you're lusting after from Farfetch's new beauty section, also!

Well Hello, Two New Pink Charlotte Tilbury Lipsticks!

I know there will be some of you who completely understand my excitement at this particular purchase, I just know it! Lipstick is undoubtedly one of my most favourite makeup items and it makes me realise how much of a beauty junkie I really am, as I'd totally rather spend £45 on the latest release from Charlotte Tilbury than on a well-needed new pair of jeans - may need to change that habit before I have nothing to wear but pretty lippies...

It all started when I clicked on Charlotte's latest tutorials, and I should probably pause here to inform you that her YouTube channel is dangerous - you'll want everything and it isn't a cheap brand at all, so proceed with caution. She'd posted two Valentine's makeup videos (The Perfect Date Night Look and The Hot Date Look), both featuring her two brand new pink lipsticks. Of course I fell hook, line and sinker but I couldn't be happier about that!

The first joins the Matte Revolution family and is called 'Between the Sheets', described as a "dreamy vintage rose petal" which sums it up beautifully. A light pink with a peachy undertone in a formulation that I've raved about countless times before for being both matte and luminous at the same time, it complements virtually any eye makeup whether you're going for daytime chic or nighttime glam. I wore this for the first time on an evening out recently and felt compelled to hold it up pre-application exclaiming, "look! An unused Charlotte Tilbury lipstick" - to which everyone in the vicinity cooed at and came over for a closer inspection. Any product from The Tilbs just does something to people, doesn't it?

Now, the formula of the K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipsticks is one of the best I've ever tried - they're incredibly creamy, are still lingering on the lips after a hefty Caesar salad and truly pack a punch in the pigment department - so you can imagine my happiness when I spotted the new shade 'Kiss Chase', which is a "pretty soft berry [with a] tawny hue". It's such a dreamy, romantic shade and I'm so pleased to have it in my collection, it's one of those 'uplifting' colours that brightens the face as soon as it's applied and will be firmly in my handbag for the entirety of spring and summer, I'm sure.

I think soft nude/baby pink lipsticks lovers would get a lot of use out of 'Between the Sheets' and slightly more bold fans would adore 'Kiss Chase', or if like me you can't resist, you save £4 by purchasing the two together in the Date Night Duo set. Any excuse, hey?

February Favourites

We've waved farewell to February and said hello to March, so let's do the new month dance and chat about our favourite beauty products of the last 29 days (leap year, holla), shall we?

I bought quite a few Charlotte Tilbury products in February and have a new foundation love in the Magic Foundation, which is talked about tons in the blogging community and for good reason. At first, I really wasn't sold - the shade '3 Fair' came off very orange-toned on me despite being described as "neutral beige for light skin tones with cool undertones", and I was disappointed at the lack of pump. Well, any hint of orange disappears in a matter of milliseconds when you start blending and apparently I'm an idiot, because it definitely does have a pump under the gold part that I thought was for decoration only. Feel free to roll your eyes and have a quick LOL at my 'doh!' moment, heaven knows I did! Anyway, moving on... it's pretty much my perfect foundation from the coverage to the consistency to the scent.

Another perfect little diamond from The Tilbs is the Matte Revolution Lipstick in 'Between the Sheets', an extremely pretty "vintage rose petal" shade. I won't say too much about this as I've got a post (with lip swatches!) coming soon on the two new Valentine's lipsticks, but it really is the most gorgeous soft pink that goes with virtually any eye look and any outfit for any occasion. Another lipstick I've been loving recently is the new Sleek Lip Vip Lipstick in 'Private Booth', a tawny slightly brown-toned nude in a matte formulation that looks heavy but feels light - very 90s!

Rebecca Stella was a brand I'd previously not heard of before and its been such a pleasure to try their makeup, in particular The Squad Eyeshadow Palette and the You Make Me Blush! in 'Misty Rose'. The eyeshadows are the most blendable, wearable mattes ever and remind me of the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics with slightly more pigment, and I've been applying the blush to the hollows and apples of my cheeks as a bronzer/blusher hybrid that creates a really healthy and natural glow.

Nip & Fab's Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum is a really hydrating and lightweight product packed with hyaluronic acid that always leaves my skin plump and smooth. I've noticed such a difference in the evenness of my skin as well as the radiance of it since I started using this a few times a week and it's one of Kylie Jenner's faves too - plus, the price tag isn't too extravagant!

If you saw my LUSH Valentine's Day Collection video or post you'll know that I picked up the Lover Lamp Bath Bomb along with the Tisty Tosty Bath Bomb, both of which I've used recently and they're so divine! Equally as soft in scent with one giving you rose petals swimming around in soft bubbles and the other delivery tiny red lovehearts, is there anything not to love?

To see me talking about these products in more detail along with my lifestyle favourites (music, books, movies etc!) check out my February Favourites video here.

Mejuri Jewellery Giveaway

You probably know by now that when it comes to me and jewellery, I'm all about the minimalist look. The items I reach for most are thin, delicate stacking rings and dainty 'barely there' necklaces in gold or silver - so it comes as no surprise that these two stunning pieces from Mejuri immediately caught my eye and have since placed themselves firmly in my most-worn collection.

The Leaves Ear Jackets have become my ideal pair of earrings as they're somehow both subtle and statement at the same time - if I wear them with an evening dress they complement the outfit as they're different from your usual classic earring but aren't too distracting, and if I wear them with a simple blouse, jeans and topknot in the daytime they dress the look up and create something more 'special'. They're like nothing else I own and I really adore the shape and style.

Another day-to-night beauty is the Heartbreaker Necklace which is just so pretty - the perfectly crafted shape sits beautifully on the décolletage, catching the light and making every outfit that extra bit more chic and classy. Mejuri have very kindly offered you, my readers, the chance to win one of these necklaces for yourself - simply follow the steps on the Rafflecopter form below, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meg Says Is Two Years Old Today!

We all know the 'time flies when you're having fun' phrase but it really is true, isn't it? Knowing that Meg Says turns two years old today is a funny thought as I just don't know where the time has gone, and can completely remember the excitement of having my own blog like it was yesterday. In the past couple of years this website has meant so much to me and been everything from a hobby, a job and a lifeline - things I'll never take for granted and can't see myself living without any time soon.

You might have noticed that its taken a bit of a backseat over the last year due to me starting my YouTube channel - I've put so much of my effort into making videos that there just wasn't any energy left over for creating content for my blog, but I'm really determined to show it some TLC and have really enjoyed writing regularly recently. You could say that blogging was my 'first love' when it comes to the world wide web, as it was a journey that began aged fourteen and I've come back to time and time again with even more enthusiasm and inspiration than before. Writing is one of my biggest passions and it's wonderful to be able to share your life and your ideas with an audience that's as friendly and intelligent as mine is. I'd really like to thank you for all you do, I truly appreciate the fact that you take the time out of your day to read my posts and I'm always sitting there with a huge Cheshire cat-style grin on my face when I see your sweet comments. Lots of love!

P.S. If you're thinking of getting into blogging yourself, watch this space as I'll have something hopefully very helpful going live this week on here and on my channel. I'm also running a custom blog design giveaway with Serena at the moment so whether you're a total beginner or a blogger who just wants to refresh their look, check it out!

Molton Brown For Mother's Day

There's only a few days left until Sunday 6th which means that Mother's Day is almost here, so in case you need a quick last-minute gift idea or want to add something extra to your homemade present, look no further! Molton Brown have carefully selected a 'Gifts For Mum' page for the home and body, all designed to pamper and treat your mum on her special day (or any other day of the year!)

My choice of the selection is the Timeless Florals Bathing Gift Trio which includes three luxurious full-size bath and shower gels in a range of scents, including their new Dewy Lily of the Valley & Star Anise fragrance. This has to be my favourite of the bunch as it's so wonderfully light and fragrant, it reminds me of budding magnolias and freshly cut grass which is perfect for this time of year. Molton Brown describe it as "nodding sprigs of angelic white bells. Delicate lace and flowering silk. The first dance of dainty blossoms. Veil your senses in ethereal tenderness", and if I had to sum it up - it's spring in a bottle.

Next we have the Blossoming Honeysuckle & White Tea Bath & Shower Gel which seriously does smell as good as it sounds, with top notes of bergamot and mandarin complementing base notes of sandalwood, vanilla and heliotrope (which lends itself to the light purple shade). If your mum loves soft, floral scents with a creamy and slightly powdery edge, she'll adore this! Also included is the Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Bath & Shower Gel, which is guaranteed to be a firm favourite for anyone who prefers sweeter, fizzier scents. Living up to the inviting look of its pretty pink colour, it's described as "a crimson summer tart. Freshly picked roses. Bowls of sugar, spice and all things nice" and has a zesty citrus edge, making it the ideal summer fragrance that'll make you feel uplifted every day.

All three bath and shower gels are such high quality that you only need the tiniest amount to leave your body perfectly cleansed and sweetly smelling or your bath filled with soft, heavenly bubbles. Thanks to the inclusion of various different scents, your mum is sure to find one she loves (if not all three!) in this collection and they come beautifully presented in a quality gift box with a cute tag that you can personalise yourself with your own special message. Molton Brown also offer next day delivery, and you save almost £10 as opposed to buying the items separately. 

What are you treating your mum to this Mother's Day? I think sentimental homemade presents or spending quality time together are just as lovely, so do let me know - in my opinion Mother's Day should be every day of the year and I'm always on the lookout for ways to show my best friend that she's very much loved and appreciated. Hope you all have the best day with your mother figure, and that you get pampered if you're a mother yourself! ♡

Our Trip To Budapest

After a few road trips around the UK, my boyfriend Will and I decided that we'd like to venture further afield and go on our first holiday abroad together. A few of our friends had visited Budapest, the Hungarian capital, and after some research we booked our flights and packed our bags. As we went for a weekend break, we tried to see as much of the city as possible as well as taking some time to relax and unwind. We had the most perfect time as it was one of those trips where nothing goes wrong - everything fell into place and went to plan, and we fell completely in love with Budapest.

Only taking hand luggage (one backpack each) was a shout and a half as we breezed through the airport and jumped straight into a taxi to take us to our accommodation when we arrived in Budapest. We used Uber for the rest of our trip which was much easier as there were no language barriers or trouble with having enough Forint on us, as well as working out cheaper. Our apartment was with Airbnb and having never used it before we weren't sure what to expect, but our place was gorgeously cosy and in a lovelier location than we could have ever hoped for. As we arrived quite late at night, Will went out to find a shop and grab some dinner whilst I pottered around unpacking - that evening we had pizza and watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!

The next morning we went to a little café at the end of our street for coffee and eggs before heading up the steps next to our apartment to see what was there. What we found left us completely speechless - Fisherman's Bastion! We didn't realise how close we were or just how beautiful it would be, and after exploring the Matthias Church we stopped for a latte overlooking the the Danube. I'd asked on Instagram for any recommendations and one lovely lady said that we must go to Zeller Bistro for dinner, so we did, and it was absolutely amazing! After a warm welcome from the owner and a glass of homemade elderflower wine we were taken to our table where we experienced top notch service (funny and friendly, our favourite!) and the most delicious food that we didn't stop talking about for days afterwards. We'd heard a lot about 'ruin bars' or 'ruin pubs' (give it a Google Image search) and after our meal we went to a few to get a feel for it all, which made for much more interesting drinks than your usual wine bar.

Will woke up early one morning to go to the thermal baths - I heard the word 'loincloth' and decided it wasn't for me! - whilst I rested for the day ahead, and we enjoyed some authentic goulash before making sure we'd well and truly explored the Buda Castle District and the surrounding areas. We crossed the Chain Bridge from the Buda side to the Pest side so that we could see The Hungarian Parliament Building and St Stephen's Basilica, as well as have a little mooch around and grab some pizza by the slice. Gotta be done!

After making a detour to Fisherman's Bastion on our way home to see the sunset we got ready to go out for the evening, first stop Escape Rooms! Neither Will or I had done one before and it was quite an experience - we decided to go for the 'Rabbit Hole' room which was Alice In Wonderland themed, and despite not being very savvy and needing quite a few clues we really enjoyed it and will definitely do more back in the UK. After solving clues and riddles we passed Mazel Tof which I remembered seeing in the book of recommendations our Airbnb host had kindly left for us in our apartment, so we went there for dinner and were so glad we did! The story of two brothers who founded it was really touching and there was live music by a wonderful woman and a guitarist playing just behind us, and enjoying the most tasty Mediterranean cuisine accompanied by proper margaritas with Norah Jones as a soundtrack was pretty magical. The waitress recommended we try Rumpus Tiki Bar for cocktails and we had the best time in there, the staff were so lovely (and made a mean Dark & Stormy) and the owner had the world's cutest Pomeranian - what's not to love!

Our time in Budapest was coming to an end so we made sure we saw anything that was still on our list (after having breakfast that consisted solely of pastries, of course!) and soaked up the remainder of our trip. We decided to visit The Invisible Exhibition which simulates being blind or partially sighted - you're led by a blind guide for an hour in total darkness through various different situations like crossing a busy road. It was definitely an unforgettable experience as we had an insight into a life we've never known, and you're taught how to help a blind person as well as read/write braille. After one final coffee and stroll around in the snow we went to the airport to fly home back to London, and that was where our adventure ended - for now!

Overall we'd wholeheartedly recommend visiting Budapest, there's something beautiful and special just around every corner and we had no end of things to do and see. It isn't too chilly if you wear the right clothing (this ASOS scarf served me very well indeed - read me!) and for the amazing time we had it was really affordable, we wished we could move into our Airbnb apartment and it was loveliest trip in the world with my favourite person.

If you have any recommendations for Budapest or other places in Europe please leave them in the comments below for anyone else wishing to visit, some of our best experiences we had were recommended by you guys and we were really appreciative for your knowledge and advice. I've definitely got the travelling bug again and hope to be doing a lot more Meg Says Travel posts this year and in the future!