Brush Upgrade

I love makeup and although there are some products that work better with my fingers, I love brushes and the finish they give. I have a real thing for Real Techniques brushes but they don't have a wide enough range for the things I want as I wanted specific shapes! Matt bought me some Zoeva brushes last christmas (i'm very excited for christmas as its only 129 days away but we will get on to that later) and I have really been in love with them ever since so I have been keen to get my hands on some more. The three brushes I chose were the 114 Luxe Face Focus, 129 Luxe Fan and 105 Luxe Highlight. I wanted a new powder brush to apply loose powder under my eyes and as that is a smaller area, I chose the 114 as it fits perfectly under that eye area and it has a small point so it is quite precise. After buying more and more highlighter, I new that my highlighter brush just wasn't up to scratch at all due to it being to big and bulky. I don't think there is any such thing a stop much highlight but I definitely prefer it to look more precise than smeared all over my face and thats where the 129 Luxe Fan brush comes in. Due to the thinness of the the fan, it gives a good precise application with the highlight which is perfect. Last but not least, I needed to up my contour game and I like my Real Techniques one but I needed a new one and thought I would try this. I know that the brush technically says highlight but I never use brushes for what they're meant to and I thought that because of its tapered thin end, it is great for calving out the hollows of my cheeks with my trusty  Nars Laguna. 

I love these brushes, if you haven't got any Zoeva brushes then you are missing out! 

Is there any of the range you fancy? 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel

 

IM BACK! I'm not going to let the crappy no internet get in my way, I miss blogging so much so here I am to introduce my new best friend. The Anastasia Clear Brow Gel. It's amazing!! My brow hairs seem to point more down wards than up so I have an issue keeping my desired brow shape which is incredibly annoying when you spend most of your allotted makeup time on making your brows as fleeky as possible. I recently changed up my brow routine by using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade and I've been really enjoying it. It can be a little difficult getting the right consistency but i'm enjoying it! You can see the review of it here. As you will know if you read that review, that I bought this and the pomade from BeautyBay.com and this was £16.50 so realistically not too expensive for the length of time it will last me. 
I really like the consistency of this brow gel and although it is my first brow gel, its probably the only one that i'll be continuously buying. A key thing to remember is that lot goes a long way with gel, you only need a little brushed over the brow hairs to get the set that you need. Too much, and you can feel them on your forehead which is a feeling that I really hate. I decided on the clear brow gel over the tinted one just because I wanted to test the product first before I decided on a colour. Also, its quite hard picking colours to match online so I think I would rather wait until I go to America next and then choose the right colour for my brows. 
I have to admit, I'm a real sucker for ABH products. I don't know if its the beautiful packaging or the fact that its hard to get hold of over here but I love it! I have a lipgloss which is seriously pigmented and glossy which is what I love from a lipgloss. I have a few other items on the list, especially the eye shadows, they look stunning! What can I say, I'm slightly obsessed!

Are you a fan of any ABH products? 

Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

 

I love contouring, who doesn't?! I have such a round face that it needs a little defining so it don't look like a pumpkin head. I love contouring that much that there isn't a day that goes by when I'm wearing makeup that I don't give some sort of shadowing to the hollows of my cheeks to make me look like I made some sort of effort. 
All of the good contouring products can become a little costly so I was pretty chuffed when I saw that  I could purchase a highlight and contour palette from Makeup Revolution.
I am so pleased with the quality of the palette. As you might be able to see, I actually had a little swatch between the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette and the Makeup Rev one and I was so surprised it how well it compared.
The Makeup Revolution palette consists of 3 matte contour shades, two matte highlighting shades, one pink toned and one yellow toned, then there shimmer highlighters for the added glow. I am so obsessed with the grey toned contour shade and the first natural shimmery highlighter on the swatches. Match made in heaven if you ask me! I think that even though the highlighting powders are too light for women of colour, I think that this palette would suit women with fair to medium skin tones. I never understand why contour palettes are bought out in just fair to medium first then the darker shades come second, I think they should just bring out a whole range at once! Hopefully they will bring out a second palette soon.
This palette comes in at the tiny price of £8 and if I was you, I seriously wouldn't miss the chance to grab this fab palette before it runs out.

Apologies for the slow front of the blogging, in the last few weeks I moved, started a new job and still don't have internet in the new place which is a complete nightmare! More posts will come this weekend though!

What are your thoughts on the palette?

Summer Makeup with House Of Fraser

 

 

It may not feel like summer but it is! When the sun finally starting shining in England and when everything warms up then you'll be needing some good summer makeup in place. Myself and House of Fraser have teamed up to tell you some top picks in the makeup world for glowing summer skin.

Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Native*

I love the concept of these Urban Decay palettes. They contain a bronzer, highlighter and blusher in one place so it's perfect for light packing on holidays and festivals. I really love the formulation of each product as they're very soft and blendable which is one of the main things I look for in power formulas. I also love that the packaging as it is incredibly sturdy which means that if you are taking them away, it reduces risk of damage when in your suitcase or hand luggage. It also has a large mirror in the compact and we all know how I love a company mirror!

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Alhambra*

As soon as someone says to me summer makeup, I automatically think about glowing, shimmery bronzed skin. Choosing an eyeshadow wasn't the easiest but as soon as I saw this duo then I knew that it had to be a perfect match. The duo comes in two shades, a pinky nude with a silver toned shimmer and a beige/bronze colour with a gold shimmer. To create me eye look I would definitely apply the bronze shimmer over my lids and use the second shade as a highlighting shade in the corner of my eyes. The formula is really light so it doesn't look like I'm wearing a chunky shimmer and it looks very subtle. 

MAC Cosmetics Satin Lipstick in Cherish*

I wanted to pick a lipstick that was a nude but compliments the bronzed colour to my skin. Cherish is a soft muted peachy beige colour with a satin finish as per the MAC description. I chose a satin finish lipstick because it has the opaque pay off as a matte with the staying power but has a sheen too it which means its not as drying on the lips. I would have chosen a matte but I wanted something that was going to add to the glow of my summer skin.

Urban Decay Deslick Makeup Setting Spray*
When it comes to setting your makeup, this spray is not messing around. Of course in the summer you naturally sweat from the heat, so you can find that your makeup will start to move in places which is not a good look. This smaller travel size is great for holidays as its easier to travel with and its great for locking in your makeup whether its a night of partying or a day by the pool. Sometimes I find that setting my makeup with powder gives me a really matte finish which is not the look I'm going for so I like to use this as it still gives my makeup the same natural finish. 

As always I would love to know what you would use for summer appropriate makeup so leave your comments below!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade In Soft Brown

 

I have to admit, after buying some Anastasia Beverly Hills products earlier this year, I am slightly hooked. I needed to change up my brow game as I had been using the Soap and Glory Archery pencil for over a year now and I got the the stage where I would look at my brows and they just weren't defined enough as I would like them to be. I have tried powders and other pencils but it was time to give in and buy this cult beauty product. 
Anastasia Beverly Hills was originally just brow products so I had incredibly high hopes for this and I was certainly not disappointed. I bought this from Beautybay.com where they sell a wide range of ABH products and so it saves on the high shipping costs from the ABH website. It was £15 which I personally think isn't too steep for a product that looks like its going to last a long time.
I use the product with the Zoeva 317 brush which is a very thin defined angled brush which is actually a liner brush but it works brilliantly with the product. I have only used it on my brows twice and I am totally won over. It gives my brows a great defined look and the formula (when used lightly) doesn't look caked on. I love how natural the it makes my brows look which is surprising because you think it would look drawn on. It also has intense staying power which is what I need from a brow product as I have oily skin and my brows end up looking very faded which is never a good look. 
All I can say is that I have been converted and I am officially hooked on Anastasia Beverly Hills brow products - keep an eye out as I have another products coming in a post!

Have you tried Dipbrow? I would love your thoughts!

Catalyst Autumn/Winter Preview

 

I'm sure you've seen loads of different posts on how great the Autumn/Winter Catalyst event was put I thought I would put a few pictures together for a glimpse of what is in store over the next couple of months from some really great brands. I love events such as these as I get to know brands that I didn't even know existed. There were so many good brands there and it was great to see so many lovely bloggers there. Not to mention the beautiful venue!
The products that were on display were great and my favourites had to be Sexy Hair and Revlon Professional. I had never used either of the brands but the ladies at the stands were so informative and really shared some great information about the products they represent. After getting home and trying the products, I am so impressed by them! I can't wait to buy some full size versions and replacements, they're so nice.
Me and Matt really love spending a day in London so we had a really good day wondering around and going to some of our favourite spots. Thanks to Matt for being a top BF and down to London with me. Yes, I said BF - I'm cool. 
To round up, it was a great day and I can't wait for the next one!

Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Highlighter

I know I don't need words to go with this highlighter because the pictures speak for themselves but i'll give it a go. If you've never heard of Jaclyn Hill and love YouTube then you NEED to go over to her channel and check out the stunning makeup looks she creates - believe me, you'll be subscribing within minutes! I have loved Jaclyn for just over a year now, I remember watching her and just enjoying how real she is in her videos which is so refreshing.
Jaclyn recently created this master piece in collaboration with Becca Cosmetics and as soon as I knew it was coming out, I knew it was something I needed to get my mitts on. I don't own anything from Becca Cosmetics but if any of their other products are as high quality as this then ill be buying plenty more.
I love what she has done with the packaging, the metallic finish has small bubble shapes over it to give it the look of champagne and the photo on the back with the quote from Jaclyn herself is a really thoughtful touch. 
This highlighter is a champagne gold colour with a slight peachy tone which helps it to compliment so many skin tones, it really is quite an original colour. The formulation its a powder but it feels almost like a cream with the finish and with the shimmer pay off, you'll deny its a powder. I can find not faults with the highlighter and thats not because I love Jaclyn, its because it has everything I want from a highlight including long wearing.
I bought this from the Sephora website on the 2nd July and it was out of stock within 45 minutes of it going up which is no shock but the smart thinking people at Becca Cosmetics knew how popular this was going to be and it went back in stock (and still is) within the next few days. If you're interested - which I know you will be, you can buy it here. It is $38 and converted into pounds, I paid around £47 for taxes and shipping included so over all, a costly purchase but worth it as its only limited edition! 
I am just absolutely obsessed with everything to do with this highlighter, I need to buy some of the other shades!

#highlightonfleek

What are your thoughts? I love it!

Current Wishlist

Theres so many good things on the market that I've really been wanting and recently I have had a few samples of products that have made me wanting the full versions! As always, let me know if I need to add anything!

1. Real Techniques Bold Metals Face Collection 
I have really liked the look of these brushes as soon as they came out but I just keep forgetting to pick them up. I like the two rose gold brushes the most as I'm after a new contour brush and the other one looks perfect for setting my under eye makeup with powder. Oh and they are beautiful right?!

2. Laura Mercier Looser Powder
I have heard so many good things about this powder and after having a miss with the Makeup Forever HD Powder, I'm looking for a new one. I saw on snapchat that Amrezy was using it and that girls contour is something else so I need to get on this hype!

3. Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer
I'm running low on concealer and once again, I've noticed a lot of people talk about this as of late so I want to try it out. As you can tell, a lot of the products I buy are mentions from other people. Word of mouth and blogs help me a lot!

4. Urban Decay After Glow Blushers
I saw these in Debenhams the other week and I stupidly didn't buy one. The packaging is really nice and when I watched it, they were so lovely that I wished that I had bought some! That'll teach me.

4. Blame It On NARS Cheek Palette
Lets be honest, I just think its really really pretty and I want it in my collection! 
I like having a few face palettes as I find it easier to take away with me. The only downfall is that the bronzer is Casino and I think that Casino is too dark for my skin tone as I normally use Laguna. Also I really want to try the ITA Brush and as this one comes with a mini version!

5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Brush and Dip Brow Pomade
My brows are out of control at the minute and they need to change! I have tried powder and I'm not a fan so I can't go back to that. I have been using the Soap and Glory Archery for a while now and I think that its time to switch it up and try something new. If I'm going to buy the pomade, I have to have the brush to go with it!

6. Mario Badescu Facial Spray 
I bought the smaller one of this whilst I was in America and I have really loved it ever since I bought it. I have now run out and I can see the change in my skin! I noticed that because I sprayed it on my face every day, I had considerably less breakouts which is always a good thing. It also smells really good and I like that calming smell in the morning and at night!

7. Elemis Cleansing Balm
I'm so close to running out of this that I need to get a replacement ASAP! I love the way it leaves me feeling soft and the smell is absolutely amazing. It should be a key essential in anyones skincare routine. 

8. Too Face Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
I recently received a delivery from Sephora and in that delivery was free samples of the three chocolate bronzer shade. I have instantly falling in love with the smell and texture that I definitely want to get the full size. 

Let me know if I need to add anything else!

June Faves '15

 

I feel like its been a long time since I threw up a favourites so I thought I would. I stopped doing it for a few months because I wasn't buying much so there wasn't many new things that I could blog about but now its summer, there are a few newbies and some old things I'm loving again. First us, lets discuss L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara. I heard a few people saying that it had been discontinued and I knew that it had in America but I found it in Boots around 2 weeks ago so i'm not sure it has! I don't know why I hadn't tried it sooner, I love plastic bristles with a comb like effect on the head as it separates and lengthens my lashes so well. I have actually been using this over my Benefit Roller Lash and that is saying something!
Now its summer, glowing skin is a must! Milani blushers have to be my favourite bargain blushers and Dolce Pink is my go to summer blusher. It has a really soft pink colour so it gives you a really pretty glow and it has a really pretty shimmer in it which gives you a summery glow. I have quite oily skin but I still want that glow so I use shimmery blushers and a good highlighter to achieve it.  Talking of highlighter, my LE Scotch on the Rocks Bobbi Brown Highlighter is the prettiest golden colour so with a tan, its a perfect combo and gives me the nicest shine on the cheek bones. I did a fuller review of the Bobbi Brown highlight which you can see here - excuse the over lightened picture, i'm not sure why I thought that was a good idea at the time!
So lately everyone has been on the Matte lip 'hype' and I was hesitant to explore until I was in the USA and bought a Milani lipstick with a matte finish. Needless to say, I was converted! I thought I would try Velvet Teddy because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and I love it but I fancied something lighter for the summer months. Honeylove (I would say) is a lighter shade of Velvet Teddy and is a matte finish too so I was keen to buy it and try it out. I can firmly say that it is my new love and I will be buying back ups on back ups for months to come incase it ever gets discontinued! I did a review and some swatches of my three latest MAC lipstick purchases which you can see here.
I suffer from dark circles and concealers do cover them us a little but I need something to tone the darkness now and brighten the area up. I have had the Freedom Makeup Correct and Conceal palette for around a month now and I am obsessed. I like that it doesn't make the finish of my makeup weird and just adds that extra brightness to my eye area to avoid me looking tired and like a 40 year old!
Last but of course not least, my Lorac Pro Palette has been my go to palette since I got back from America. I have never felt shadows that are so creamy but are still powders, I love them so much! All the colours are so blendable and they are all great colours for day time and night time. I now need all the Lorac shadows possible!
That's a round up of my June favourites, what are yours?!