Unboxing Look Fantastic's Jan 2017 Beauty Box | Video

Ahhh here we are again attempting the Youtube thing. Be nice, I'm new to this! Please let me know what you think too.

Hope you enjoy x

My Collection | Nars

Ahhh Nars. A good solid favourite of mine. A one to rely on. 

Nars is a brand that I've always dipped in and out of over the last few years. I remember when I first my very first sheer glow, I wanted it for ages but there was no where local for me that sold it, then I clocked the stand in Selfridges during a London trip and the rest is history.  

Sheer Glow Foundation 

Shade - Santa Fe/Medium 2

A cult product for all makeup lovers, or hoarders. First of all the colour match is great for me, it is just slightly darker than my natural. Just enough it give my face a brighten and look more awake. The foundation gives you skin a nice healthy awake glow, the reason why I love it! Its very easy to apply and blend, and very build-able. It goes onto skin evenly and with some setting powder gives a nice finish for the day. With it being sheer it doesn't appear as long lasting as other foundations may, if its not for you add concealer in areas you'd like a little more security. 

Velvet Matte Foundation 

Shade- Groenland Light 3

To be totally honest matte foundations are really my cuppa tea.  For months I wore this foundation religiously. Its so easy to use on early mornings, applying and blending is slick. I always highlighed in areas just so my face didn't look so 2D. Its a long lasting smooth finish with build-able coverage. 

Radiant Creamy Concealer 

Shade - Vanilla 

A bit of radiance, that's what I need. I ain't about that matte lifestyle. I use this concealer near enough every day. Its always my go to. I apply this under eyes to brighten, my forehead to build coverage and my nose and cupids bow to highlight. It is a multi purpose, all rounder product. I ran out of eye primer and used this until I bought a new one, worked just as good! Always easy to use, I would always suggest getting concealer thats a shade lighter then your skin tone to highlight and brighten.

Illuminator 

Shade - Orgasm 

This is a fairly new one for me. I was really confused when I first purchased it, is is a blusher or a highlighter or what??? I use this on the apple of my cheeks and blend it back, kind of like blush. The colour when its blended isn't as strong as blush. I like this to give me a glow with a flush of healthy colour. Its great to give your face a bit of a refresh during to the day. Although it is a liquid it does dry nicely and stays in place throughout the day. I use this before and after my foundation and setting, its pretty multi purpose. Still, I'm not sure whether its highlight or blush?? I very much like it though!

 Light Reflecting Setting Powder

Shade - Translucent 

A good setting powder much a huge difference to your make up. This setting powder has staying power, not even creamy formula foundation will move out of place. Translucant powders are always handy to have too, they can be used for more things than you imagine, like blending out a smokey eye for example. The light reflecting is nothing over powering and doesn't go all Edward Cullan on you, its just subtle. Beware though, too much will have the opposite effect and make you look 2D and washed out!

Urban Decay Vice Full Frontal

As soon as I laid eyes on this little beauty I wanted it! It was top of my christmas list off my boyfriend.  This cost £60(worth £90), it contains 5 lipsticks and a lip primer stick.  The Vice collection for me is too hard to chose from, there are so many shades and finishes to chose from! I hate buying things that I don't know if I'll like so I feel like this will allow me to test shades and finishes that I like before buying individuals.

The 5 different shades are all different from each other and with different finishes, this offers a good test of the over all Vice collection. 

The first shade is 'Seimic' which is a sheer shiny finish purple shade.  For me this will be used either to finish a purple lipstick look or on a chilled out makeup day. The coverage is so sheer that the colour is that visible although it leave your lips feeling moisturised and hydrated. 

Next is the shade 'Gash' from the cream vice collection. This is a burgundy shade of red with a  full coverage cream finish, what more could you want from a vampy shade?? This is my favourite from the set and the one that I will be wearing the most, I'm just drawn to the darker shades of red. 

The next lipstick had be fascinated for a while, the shade 'Bang Bang' from the Metallized line. This is a pink glittery lipstick, the glitter already in the lipstick concept blew my mind. Pink lipstick isn't always my fave but pink glittery is in a new league. 

The next shade, 'Snitch' is a sheer orange. I feel like this would be a good everyday casual lipstick, maybe a one to wear for work. The colour is very sheer so it isn't an in your face orange, just a slight injection of colour and leaves your lips feeling hydrated. 

Last of the lipsticks is in the shade '1993' this is from the comfort matte and is a browny nude shade. This is a shade that can be dressed up or down. The brown isn't too dark and over powering from my pale complexion either. It does what it says on the tin too, although it is a matte shade it is comfortable. It doesn't have the dry or flakey feeling that mattes often do. 

The primer pencil is a newby in my collection, I've never actually tried a lip primer!  This is the Ozone and is like a crayon. It allows more grip on the lips to allow products to stick better.  

Buy online here.

My Collection | Charlotte Tilbury

I am most certainly one of those people who finds a product they like and them sticks with the brand. Charlotte Tilbury being one of these brands. It was around this time last year that I purchased my first Charlotte Tilbs, from then I've loved the brand in general. 

The brand has a high end glam feel, from product finishes to the product packaging. All round high quality. Although this is a pricey brand you get what you pay for!

So this is my little Charlotte Tilbury collection, small but costly and effective! All of the Charlotte Tilbury products have gorgeous packaging, have I mentioned that already?? 

Magic Foundation

Shade 2 Fair Pale 

This was the first product that I tried at the time it was a product that everyone had in their makeup bag, the ones that bloggers rave about. So I toddled off to try it for myself. First off the colour match is perfect for me, very good job to the artists on the counter. 

The foundation has a good coverage, not a lot of concealer is required for me just something to brighten my under eye area - fab for them early mornings.  One thing with this foundation is that its pretty creamy, it takes slightly longer to blend and get a smooth finish when using a brush. I find this is best blended with a brush then just to totally smooth it over use a beauty blender or fingers. Also with it being creamy, make sure its set well so it doesn't move around through the day. A plus side, it's very hydrating and gives a natural glowy finish. It is long lasting and a go too for me. 

The Dolce Vita Luxury Palette  

This is the newest instalment to my collection and I dare say my favourite. 

This palette contains 4 colours, all compliment each other. The Dolce Vita shades are 'Prime' which is a shimmer champagne nude, 'Enhance' a shimmer burgundy(brown undertone), 'Pop' a mega shimmery mid brown and lastly 'Smoke' a darker brown shade.   

My two favourites are currently Pop and Enhance. I wear these two together for a smokey eye look. All shades are very easy to blend with good pigment. The easiest thing with these shades are they can be worn casual or built up for a heavier makeup look. This is a very versatile palette.   

Lipsticks 

I currently have 2 lipsticks from Charlotte Tilburys range. Both different shades and finishes. 

Firstly I have the shade 'Glastonbury', a really popular shade! This is a deep purpley burgundy with a matte finish. I love dark lips and burgundy is my go to colour!  This is a long lasting matte finish. It is food and drink proof and doesn't need topping up every 10 mins. Only down side I find it slightly drying from time to time, lip balm at the ready!

And my second shade is 'Sexy Sienna'. This is the other end of the spectrum for me, this is a pink nude. A more of an every day work ear shade for me, it gives a nice flush of colour without being over powering. It has a cream finish but isn't as long lasting as the matte, being totally honest I like that better with lighter every day shades. It is very hydrating for my lips and I loved it throughout the winter, pale skin with shiny pink lips and a flush of blush is a fave of mine!  

Scent of a Dream

By far the best smelling perfume on the market! Its a shame I'm so ridiculously bad at describing smells! This perfume has an expensive and vintage edge to the scent, its also said to smell slightly different on each person, how fab? Rather than a best spray the perfume sprays more like a mist meaning one spray is enough. It is strong so a small amount goes a long with. 

It has gorgeous packaging, perfect for a dressing table.

And thats just about it for my little Charlotte Tilbury corner. I love the brand, if you haven't already tried it you really need to. All products are available here.

Mac Haul

Mac has always been a brand that I've dipped into every now and again but don't actually own that much stuff. I've had a little list of things I'd like to try and before Christmas I decided just to go for it and get what I want. 

Studio Fix Foundation 

So firstly I got the Studio Fix Foundation in the shade NW18. I've previously had the foundation and really liked it, although last time I was matched with NC15. I decided to go with a darker shade this time just from judging the colour last time, although I do have pale skin sometimes pale shades just make me look grey and a lil dead. This shade is darker than my natural skin tone but not massively that I look tangoed, just a nice amount of extra colour to look a lil brighter. 

Fix+ Setting Spray

Fixing sprays are products I don't really have much to do with. I thought I'd try it since its one of them products thats always used in makeup tutorials. In my previous experience I haven't really been able to tell any difference when using fixing sprays but I'll give this one a try. 

Skin Finish 

For a while I've been wanting to play with new highlighters. Highlighting is a huge makeup trend and I feel really late on the bandwagon. Powder highlighters aren't always make fave, they can look cakey and dull at times. This one look promising, I opted for the shade Soft and Gentle.

Oil Primer 

Primers are products that I'm always willing to experiment with, I think its because I haven't yet found my number 1. I opted for the Grapefruit and Chamomile, just because my cleanser contains chamomile and is great on my skin!

Lipstick 

I have a few Mac Lippies and I love them, so I added to the collection with Honey Love. Its a shade I've noticed popping up here and here.

Lip Liner

Admittedly I only purchased this because I read in a magazine that it was a good one to have. A nude lip pencil will never go a miss. In the shade Spice.

Samples

I always love that you get free samples with Mac purchases! I received Strobe Cream, Mascara and Primer

Reviewing all of my Foundation

I feel like I haven't done a good old review in ages, so heres a massive one. I have a fair few foundations in my collection, its a product I use every single day. New ones are constantly being brought out and I cant help wanting to try new ones! So heres a review of my whole collection, good and bad!

Nars Velvet Matte

Shade- Groenland

I wear this foundation near enough every weekday for work. Its really quick and easy to apply and blend, main reason why I like it! The coverage is easy to build so it is a good foundation for any kind of occasion. The colour is enough to brighten y pale complexion without over darkening. Only downside for me, I find it does go shiny after wearing it for a few hours. I don't have oily or shiny skin either. I always find that setting it with Nars loose powder works best and keeps the shine down!

Rating: 8/10

Delilah Time Frame

Shade- Buttermilk

This is one I spoke about ages ago when I first started blogging. This has been a favourite for a long time. Its a one that I always end up going back too. This is a high coverage foundation thats really moisturising, down side being it takes slightly longer to blend. When blended i gives your skin a porcelain affect, it smoothes everything over and looks even. It makes your skin look glowy and well looked after. Only down side, I feel like it moves around a lot if you don't set it fully or want to leave it a little glowy but nothing overly bad.

Rating: 8/10

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow

Shade- Honey

This is a really brightening foundation, which I love! When its set properly it really wakes up your face and leaves it glowy without looking shiny or oil. For a really brightening look I really love this one. This does take a little longer than others to blend but after it leaves your skin awakened and set for the day.

Rating: 9/10

YSL Ink Fusion

Shade- BD10

So far this one is my solid fave, I haven't found another foundation that beats it! Its really easy to apply with the stick applicator and the ink-like formula its really quick and easy to blend with all tools. You skin is left looking fresh and lasts all day.

Rating: 10/10

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua 

Shade- 22 Beige Rose

The only low coverage foundation that I own. I love this foundation for lazy 'no makeup' makeup days. I like how this gives you a bit over colour without the heavy look of wearing foundation. I often find that this doesn't blend that easily and i normally need to add more product than intended just to make sure all my face has an even coverage. 

Rating: 6/10

Estee Lauder Double Wear 

Shade- 1N2 Ecru 

Aw this was my very first high end foundation and I was buzzing when I bought it! I loved this foundation for ages, I would swear by it. Its the only foundation that is truly matte on its own and doesn't need overly setting. It gives a good coverage but leaves skin breathable. Only downside will always be the light reflecting formula, white face in photos anyone?? No thank you. 

Rating: 6/10

Mac Studio Sculpt 

Shade- NC30 

Biggest foundation disappointment! The main reason being I was colour matched totally wrong making it completely unwearable for me. Yes fair play I'm a Newcastle lass and we're known for fake tan but I'm super pale, I'm more of a NC15! I've tried to mix this with moisturizer to lighten the colour, this worked on the colour but then made the foundation patchy and unflattering. Lesson learnt, don't always trust retail 'makeup artists'.

Rating: 2/10

Rimmel Wake Me Up 

Shade- 100 Ivory 

Remember when everyone was super obsessed with this?? Yeah I still actually own it. A good old high street blogger cult product. Still love it just as much as I used to, before I was working this was always my every day foundation. Its a nice price tag and I rate it higher than some high ends! Its a good coverage and brightens your skin. Does what it says on the tin, really gives that woken up look on a morning.

Rating: 7/10 

L'Oreal Infallible Matte 

Shade- 10 Porcelain 

Another Blogger cult product recently. Personally it just didnt do it for me! I felt this totally washed me out. The matte made my skin look a little dead and drained, almost like I was really tired or poorly! Not a great look. 

Rating: 4/10 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation 

Shade- 2 Fair Pale 

I love the Charlotte Tilbury brand in general, all the products are fab! This being no exception. I find this foundation a strong enough coverage without it going caky. Its really moisturizing although its pretty easy and quick to blend. I like to use this throughout the colder months when my skin needs a little more moisture. It is a creamy product so I do find it needs a little bit extra setting powder to keep it from moving around after a few hours of wearing. Generally, I really like this foundation and find it really easy to wear.

Rating: 8/10

Nars Sheer Glow

Shade- Santa FE

Another cult! I wanted this foundation for ages, remember when everyone used this one?? I had to wait  months to purchase this one, at the time I couldn't get it close to home and didn't want to buy online. I loved this foundation and wore it every day for months and months, even when it started to run out I added moisturizers to make it last longer. This foundation is really build-able coverage and great for any occasion- lazy 'no makeup' makeup or  for a night out. This foundation really brightens and refreshes your face. Its a perfect natural look that just makes your look more awake and fresh.  Its quick and easy to blend too!

Rating: 9/10

Bourjois Healthy Mix

Shade- Vinilla 

At the moment, this is my fave high street foundation! The shade of this is slightly darker than what I would normally wear, this is only because I wanted a foundation thats more suited to a fake tan look. This foundation is really high quality for a high street buy, it leaves a smooth and natural finish. Its a build-able coverage and leaves skin looking fresh. I find the colour is enough to darken my skin slightly to match a bit of fake tan but nothing at all outrageous. It's really easy to blend and to work with. Really worth picking up, worth the money!

Rating: 9/10

Chanel Lift Lumiere 

Shade- 14 Ivoire 

My total go to! I wear this foundation whenever I'm going out or have a special occasion. It is a medium/high coverage and leaves your skin with a real quality finish, what you'd expect from Chanel! Really easy to blend and leaves skin glowing, I always add a little extra setting powder just to keep shine down. A really easy high coverage foundation to work with and its high quality!

Rating: 9.5/10

And thats it for now! Enjoy x

  

FOTD | Autumn

Products Used- 

Base - 

Primer - The Body Shop Instablur Primer

Illuminator(under foundation) - Benefit High Beam

Foundation - Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Groenland 

Powder - Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour in Sand

Contour/Bronze - Anastasia Beverly Hills in Havana 

Blush - Sleek Lace Palette in Crochet

Highlight - Benefit Watts Up  

Eyes/Lips - 

Brows - The Body Shop Brow Kit in 02

Brow Set - George Brow Tamer

Shadow- Urban Decay Naked Palette using shades Sidecar, Smog and Darkhorse 

Liner - YSL Babydoll

Mascara - Mac Upward Lash

Lipstick - Topshop Wicked 

London | Face of the Day

Yeah, long day of travelling and wandering around London. Tired eyes!

Makeup Used 

Base

Primer- The Body Shop Instablur - £14

Foundation - Chanel Lift Lumiere - £38

Contour(including concealer) - Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour - £39 

Powders (Face and Bronze/Contour) - Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour - £39

Blush - Topshop Cream Blush in Head Over Heels - Discontinued :(

Highlight - Benefit High Beam - £17.50 

Eyes 

Brows - The Body Shop Brow Kit - £10

Shadow - Urban Decay Gwen Stefani (Shades Zone and Blackout) - £40

Liner - YSL Babydoll Liquid Liner - £25.50

Mascara - Mac Upwards Lash - £19

Lips - Mac Velvet Teddy(obvs) - £15.50

Wearing

Topshop Dress - £46

Face of the Day

Face

Tan- NKD SKN Tan Mousse(Medium)

Primer- L'Oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer 

Foundation- Bourjois Healthy Mix (Vanilla)

Highlighters- Benefit High Beam and Benefit Watts Up

Concealer- ABH Contour Palette (Banana)

Powder- Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero Shine

Contour- ABH Contour Palette (Light Sculpt)

Bronzer-Smashbox Shape Matters Palette(Bronze)

Blush- Mac Ellie Goulding (I'll Hold My Breath)     

Eyes and Lips

Brows-The Body Shop Brow and Liner Kit(02 Darker Shade)

Brow Fixer- George Tamer

Eye Primer-ABH Concealer (Fair)

Eye Shadow Lighter Shade/Highlighter-UD Gwen Stefani Palette(Blonde)

Eye Shadow Medium Shade- UD Gwen Stefani Palette (Zone)

Eye Shadow Dark- Smashbox Shape Matters Palette(Sumatra)

Eye Shadow Crease- Urban Decay (Blackout)

Under Eyeshadow- UD Naked 2 (Busted and Black out)

Eyeliner- YSL Baby Doll Liquid 

Mascara- Maybelline Lash Sensational

Lashes- Half Lashes

Lips- Kylie Lip Kit(Candy K)

Face of the Day

Face-

Foundation- Chanel Lift Lumiere

Concealer- Anastasia Beverly Hill Contour Kit(Banana) and Mac Pro Long Wear

Powder- Benefit Loose Powder

Bronzer- Smash Box Shape Matters Palette (Contour Shades)

Blush- Revolution Palette

Eyes-

Shadow- Mac Navy Times Nine

Eye Liner- Chanel

Mascara- Maybelline Lash Sensational 

Lips-

Kylie Jenner Lip Kit- Candy K

Face of the Day

Foundation- Chanel Lift Lumiere

Contour- Anastasia Beverly Hill Cream Contour(light)

Highlight- Topshop Glow Pot and Benefit High Beam

Bronzer- Benefit Hoola

Blush- Sleek Lace Palette

Brows- Rimmel Brow Pencil 

Eye shadow- Mac 9x Palette Navy 

Liner- Chanel Liquid Liner 

Mascara- Soap and Glory Thick n Fast 

Lips- Kyle Lip Kit- Candy K

#LondonLook

So if you haven't heard, Rimmel London is running a competition for bloggers to win an amazing prizes!

So this is my entry and if you would like to vote for me click this link.

If you'd like to apply of get more info click here!

YSL Ink Fusion Foundation Review

I bought the YSL Ink Fusion Foundation not too long before Christmas and it was featured in this haul. So I've been using this foundation for around 3 weeks now. I feel like I can give this a fair review now I've used it during my time off for Christmas where I had loads of time to apply it, parties where I needed it to last and for work where I had little time to apply with less product needed.

So, before applying this I make sure I have clean and moisturized skin, then I apply the Benefit Porefessional and the Body Shop Instablur primer. I then start off by using the stick applicator to get the product onto my face, At first I was really confused with the stick thing but it actually really useful for getting the product onto your face without having to pour it onto the back of your hand.  So when I apply it the texture is kind of ink like, it feels thick and silky at first. I then blend it using a damp Real Techniques Beauty Blender. Its super easy to blend in, it takes little effort and time using a beauty blender. After this, depending on the occasion or what my skin is like that day I will then decide if I need any product, if so I will just repeat the process. 

 The coverage on this foundation is medium to me but buildable. It can be made dewy depending on how much setting powder you use too. 

This foundation lasts me pretty much all day, at least 12 hours. Which is perfect for me when at work, its quickly became my everyday favourite foundation. 

I bought this from Boots for £31.50 in Shade BD10.

Thanks for reading!

Chanel Lift Lumiere

This is defiantly one of those buys where you didn't really go for anything you need so you just buy something out of budget that catches your eye and seems like a good idea. 

I've never used any Chanel make up before and since I'm starting to run low on my Nars Sheer Glow it made total sense to buy some.  After speaking to the woman on the counter I went for the Lumiere in Ivorie. 

The woman was surprising very helpful and I will be revisiting, she applied the foundation (colour testing) to my whole face not just a patch test, applied some setting powder and bronzer after removing my makeup with Chanel skincare products. Is this a regular thing that happens on makeup counters, free of charge and I just didn't know??  Whilst she was applying the makeup she explained to me about the importance of having a setting powder that is equally as good as your foundation, which actually makes a lot of sense but I never really thought about it. The foundation looked amazing on and the lady only used a very small amount!

 I now also want the whole Chanel makeup and skin care range and its all down to the lovely lady.

Also I was given two samples to try, a mascara and 4 lipsticks.

This altogether came to £38 which for a high end foundation, 2 free samples, a try of 5 Chanel products in store and a very high standard of customer service it is very good value. My experience of buying this was by far the best experience I've had whilst buying makeup, I'm very pleased with this buy and i haven't even had a proper try of the product yet!

Buy online

x

Smash Box Shape Matters Palette

Since Christmas is on its way, Boots have all there Christmas gifts in. For a Limited time, until October 8th, Smashbox have a 3 in 1 palette worth £60 for only £30. 

Unexpected Love | Ted Baker Makeup

Christmas makeup gift sets aren't the type of makeup I normally would think of wearing. Its them that just make you makeup collection look bigger but you never use. Ted Baker is a brand that I am familiar with for beauty things, but not makeup. Surprising, I actually really like the products and after testing them for a good few months I feel like I can fairly speak about them. 

Like all things in life, some are better than others. With this makeup set some things I use a lot and some things just aren't for me. 

The things that I do use are the eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, chubby lip pencil, blush and eye lash curler. Bascially everything apart from the chubby eye shadow pencils.  

One of the things that just will never get used ever are the eye shadow sticks. They just aren't for me at all. I really dislike creamy eye shadows that are heavy and a bit sticky on the lids, so for that reason they will never get a use.

The blush is a lovely soft pink highlighting and brightening edition to my makeup collection. It has a shimmer, the highlighting and brightening part obvs. But the mix of colour creates a lovely blendible soft pink, perfect for spring. 

First up for love is the mascara. Whenever I first get a mascara I never have a love at first use sort of experience. But this one it didnt take as long as what it normally takes for it to creep into being my every day.  Its super easy to create volume and length for eyelashes. It lasts all day and doesnt flake away. One of my makeup problems is getting the awful panda eye of some mascaras, but *touch wood* I've never had any sign of panda using this. 

The eyeliner isnt the blackest of eyeliners. Its a softer kind of eyeliner that great for a softer casual everyday look. A lot the pen kind of eyeliners go dry when you use it, especially over eye shadow but I've never had a problem with this one. 

The only thing is i like a strong black flick so this doesn't get a lot of use.

The two lip products, one being the lipstick and one the chubby lip pencil are similar in some ways but at the same time complete opposites. The colours are both equally as wearable in my opinion, one being a classic red and one being a slightly dark purpley red. I feel as though the darker chubby lip pencil wins this time though.

Then just to finish this off is the colouring, rose gold always looks lovely on the dressing table.

X

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

I'm finally coming out of the blogger shadows and get back to writing! Lately I've just been very busy with settling into my new job and then family and friends commitments its all been a tiring. I've really just not felt like writing, and I didn't really have anything that I felt like I wanted to share. But after doing  my makeup a few days ago and realizing that I'e never actually shared one of my favorite products and I think its time that I do....

A cult in the beauty world, a one you've probably already heard a load about the Benefit Hoola bronzer. 

Since I've recently darkened my hair I felt like my skin would just look washed out if I didn't darken my skin down with it so this product has been a life saver. I'm a pale person, all thanks to the British weather, but I also do occasionally wear fake tan. So to have a bronzer that I can use when I'm pale and tanned and still look subtle is a much have in my books.

The one thing that I love the most about this one is defiantly just the colour. I always think its hard to find a bronzer that isn't a baked orangey colour, not very flattering on pale skin. The Hoola is a brown shade, not orange. Which might not sound flattering on pale skin either but, its buildable.

I normally use this as a kind of contour so my cheek bones, sides of my forehead, jaw and the edges of my nose, and this is enough to darken my skin down and also make my face look a bit slimmer. 

It being so buildable also obviously gives a kind of buildable contour, so its a staple. Great for a natural day time and also a super sharp contour for a night. And, its a brown tan and not a orange, so it doesn't look ridiculous if you go for a heavier bronze.  

I've used this ever since Christmas and it is a solid fav for me. This hasnt been a indepth review as such but I feel with makeup theres only so much to really say.

But this bronzer works for both my my skin is pale and tanned, great for all over face and for a contour. So, it is a staple it my makeup bag.

Thanks for reading and hopefully I will get back into the swing of blogging more regularly. 

X

Out for a Meal Outfit

After a long days shop on Saturday with my mam we thought what better way to finish the day with a nice meal out in our new clothes and have a drink or two. I love spending time with my mam, shes honestly my best friend. Its not the same going shopping with anyone but her. So a nice meal and a good chat after shopping all day sounded perfect to me. 

So I wore some new trousers and shoes that I love. I decided for a simple hair and makeup look.

Makeup-

Foundation- Benefit 

Powder-The Body Shop all-in-one face base

Bronzer-Benefit Hoola

Blush-Sleek Lace palette 

Eyes-Naked 2 palette

Fake eyelashes-Wispies 

Lips-Kate Moss 110

Clothing-

Top-Primak

Trousers-Topshop

Shoes-Primak

x

Real Techniques Brushes

My most used makeup brushes, my everyday and complete go to, the Real Techniques. I started buying these brushes about a year ago and my collection and love grew from there.

So it started with getting a kind of starters essentials set of the Travel Essentials costing £20.99. This included a finishing powder brush, a simple flat foundation brush and an eye blending brush. But i only now have the foundation and the eye brushes. I'm pretty sure that I got it for christmas of 2013, after pointing them out to my Mam every single time we were in boots for a hint hint;). Christmas 2013 was the first time I ventured into investing more into my makeup. Before I used all highstreet cheap makeup but then I started to discover bloggers and beauty vloggers who introduced me to a whole new world. I remember that Christmas I got these brushes, mac studio sculpt and a smashbox primer and I felt a million dollars.  

I fell in love with these brushes. I've used them every single time I've worn makeup ever since I've had them and that isn't an exaggeration. I used the brushes exactly what they were created for, foundation brush for foundation, powder brush for powder and eye brush for eyes. And I loved them. I honestly believe that they made a massive difference to my makeup even though I only had three of them at this time. It made me realise that it doesn't matter what makeup brand you have if you have the right tools to apply it properly it can work.

So keeping this in mind I started look for other kinds of brushes from this collection that were used and recommended by bloggers and vloggers. I built up trust with these brushes so I wanted to try more. I'm not familiar even now with what brushes are good and what brands are a go to, all I know is that Real Techniques are my go tos. 

So after loving the three brushes for ages my birthday soon rolled round and guess what some of my birthday money was spent on... So I got the Core Collection that costs £21.99, a 4 piece set that is used for base makeup.  This set contains a detailer brush, pointed foundation brush, buffing brush and contour brush. This set has been the most effective or most used. Having a few different base brushes can go along way. 

When I first got these brushes I stuck by the rules and used them exactly what they are for. But then I started to uses them for what works for me, like using the contour brush to blend under eye concealer and highlighter.  I like how soft and fluffy this is, I hate anything that is heavy and tough on my eyes so a light weight soft fluffy brush is perfect. I love the small detailer brush, since I'm spot prone its great having a brush thats a perfect size to get a full cover up on just that small selected area. The pointed foundation brush in this set is smaller than the one from the other set. So I like using it again, for selective cover up for redness its great for using it around the nose. The buffing brush has always been used for powder, I like how its soft, but firm. It isnt a big and fluffy powder brush it is more of a firm full coverage brush. Due to this, too much powder is just sometimes too much.

I heard some really good things about the Expert Face Brush so it just seemed to jump into my basket at Boots, costing £9.99. This is the first foundation brush that I've had that isn't flat, I was excited to try a blending round fluffy brush as an alternative. Ever since I've bought this I have used it every  day and I don't think i would go back to flat foundation brushes. It is so much easier and quicker to blend foundation to a flawless buildable base. I like the thicker handle it gives you more control. In my opinion this is the best brush from the range. If you like to spend a bit more time an getting a good base then this will be a staple for you. Its  my fave.

The the very last brush that I've purchased is the Blush Brush that also costs £9.99. This is a super soft fluffy brush. I like the long thinner handle, its great weight to apply bronzer. I use this brush to apply bronzer and blusher and I love it. 

The Real Techniques are the only brushes that I actually use for my makeup. They're the first brand of brushes that I splashed out to. I think that they are pricey but for the quality and how long you will have them for its worth it. I have some of these for over a year and they're still in just as good condition as when I first bought them, these will last years. I wash all my brushes regularly and when I wash these they go back to looking brand new. The product doesn't stain the brush look other brushes. The tops are back bright white. And, they don't take forever to dry.

When I heard that there is a new Real Techniques brush range coming out I was so excited but now that I've seen them and seen the price I don't think I'll be buying any. I personally think that they're way too expensive, yes they look nice and I'm sure theyre great quality and do great things but £20 on 1 brush is just out of the question for me. If I do get any it will be as a treat and take abit of saving. I just don't think it would be a worthwhile investment, when you can get alternative sets of multiple brushes from other brands that are apparently just as good for less money.

But, from this range I would definitely buy more, I already have my eye on what brush is next haha.

Love them

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