Makeup Menu | May

Let's kick things straight off, I prime with Benefit's Porefessional Primer and my foundation base is MAC Studio Fix Fluid with a pump of Seventeen's Wow primer to give a bit of glow. To conceal my breakouts I used MAC Pro Longwear Concealor which is insane at covering imperfections. It's not cakey and matches my foundation perfectly in colour. I set my t-zone with a quick swiz of my trusty Rimmel Stay Matte powder as I get particularly oily here. I bronzed and contoured slightly with MAC's Harmony Blush and used MAC's Soft and Gentle Mineralise Skin Finish as an all over cheek highlight which is a new addition to my makeup collection and I wish I'd have bought it sooner. I love it. Any MAC/Makeup lover needs this in their stash. 

I primed my eyes the same way as usual, with my MAC Painterly Paintpot and then used MAC's Omega and Charcoal Brown eyeshadows from my MAC palette and a 217 blending brush to define my crease and warm up my eyes. I then packed the shade Bubbly from the Stila In the Light palette (another new addition) over the centre of my lid and took it into my inner corner and tearduct for a highlight. I then deepened my outer corners with the shade Glided Gold from the Stila palette and ran this under my eyes for added definition. I took the darkest shade in the palette, Ebony, and ran it along my lashline with an angled brush to define my lashes and give the appearance of thickness. I applied a few coats of Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara which gives length and a bit of volume so is good for everyday.

My brows were simply combed through and filled in using an angled brush and MAC's Omega eyeshadow, not my favourite method but my Sleek Eyebrow stylist is running low so I thought I'd go for this instead. 

To finish, I applied my new MAC Faux lipstick which is a satin 'muted mauve-pink' perfect for everyday. I'd never tried the satin formula before but it's a winner. Creamy, full power pigmentation and longlasting - everything I want in a lipstick.

This inadvertently turned into a very MAC heavy face... probably because I received money for my birthday so had a big splurge in there! Plus it's my favourite higher end brand so I use at least one product from them everyday. I'm really enjoying a very bronzed, glowing look and this fits the bil for this move into "summer".

MAC eyeshadow - Dazzlelight

MAC - Dazzlelight (£10)

Behold, my new favourite eyeshadow for inner corner and browbone highlight - Dazzlelight. I bought this entirely on a whim (to bump up my Debenhams basket to £30 so I'd get a £5 off voucher) and I have zero regrets. It's described as a 'neutral with shimmer' and is the perfect all round highlighter with a little shimmer but by no means in your face or over the top. Tt can be worn heavily for nights out, due to its high pigmentation, but also dusted lightly for a little day time shimmer. Perfect for New Years Eve (I'll certainly be picking this out) but also to wake up tired eyes the next day! All round winner. 

// WHAT'S ON MY FACE 16.07.14 //

BASE // 
A solid base of The Body Shop Instablur Primer which prolongs my makeup even further, combined with MAC Studio Fix Fluid which gives even and full coverage. To conceal my dark circles and any spots I used Seventeen Phwoaar Paint which is a fabulous budget buy. All set with Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (not pictured). To bronzed using the MUA Bronzed Perfection (not pictured) and then used a little of Rimmel Santa Rose blush on the apples of my cheeks.

EYES //
I filled in my brows with a MAC 266 brush and Charcoal Brown eyeshadow from MAC and then primed my lids with MAC paintpot in Painterly. A quick swipe of Satin Taupe all over my lid and blended out and then swiped under my eyes for a slight smoke. I used Vanilla in my inner corners and brow bone for highlight. A slight wing on my eyeliner using L'Oreal Super Liner which is a recent purchase to help me fall in love with eyeliner again, it didn't disappoint. A few coats of MAC's Zoom Fast Black Lash for lasting drama and an intense black.

LIPS //
My favourite MAC lipstick, Crosswires (not pictured) which goes with any eye makeup or outfit whether it be day or nightime. I adore it.

who has no self-control? *raises hand*

Once again, whilst browsing the MAC website and putting items into my basket I couldn't help but click "Confirm and Pay". Well who can pass up Free Delivery when is it so easy to spend £30 to qualify? MAC are so diverse in the products they sell, there is something for everyone and your entire makeup bag could be bought from them and you would be as happy as larry.

MAC Pro-Long Wear Paintpot in 'Painterly' (£15) 

MAC Pro-Palette Eyeshadows in 'Vanilla' and 'Mulch' (£10 each) 

MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Sample (Complementary)

I am a strong lover of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo's and had heard that the MAC alternative was as good, if not better so I decided to take the plunge. As Maybelline do not offer a skin colour/natural base colour, I chose to purchase 'Painterly' which is a pink toned skin coloured cream base which applies like a dream. I simply just use my finger to blend all over my lid up to my brown bone and it leaves a smooth, even surface to apply shadow. On days where I don't want to wear shadow, I will simply use this alone to even out the skin tone on my eyelids. 

I am a big fan of MAC eyeshadows and have a 15 pan palette which I am (although slowly) filling with neutral shades. So far I have Satin Taupe and Charcoal Brown so thought I'd add Vanilla ('a peach ivory with reflects') and Mulch ('a red-brown with bronze peal'). I have a list as long as my arm of MAC eyeshadows to add to my palette and as my birthday is only a month away the names will be passed onto friends and family in the hope of adding to my collection if I am lucky enough! As always, the quality of these eyeshadows are just incredible. They blend well, the pigmentation is insane, the colour range is vast and they last all day - there isn't much more you could ask for! 

I was surprised when opening my black jiffy bag to find a complementary 'Zoom Fast Black Lash' mascara sample which sells for £14 full price. It has a bristel brush which doesn't tug on lashes, but glides through them giving volume and a strong black coating, it can easily be worn with just one coat, or be built up for an even fuller look. From a first try, I am inpressed and am considering buying the full size because £14 is a good price for what you get.

rimmel smokey purple quad

Rimmel Smoky Purple Quad (£6.99)

Maybelline 'The Falsies' mascara

I was wandering the makeup aisles of Boots recently (again) and saw this quad at the Rimmel counter and it look intriguing. I have never worn purple shadow before, I have pretty much always stuck to my natural browns, taupes and maybe a tiny bit of a cranberry shade if I've feeling rather adventurous. (that term used lightly...)

This quad is actually quite versatile, you can use all 4 shades to create a purple smoky eye or use either of the 'middle' tones as a wash of colour with a tiny bit of the white in the inner corners as a highlight. I love the colours, but I can't lie and say they are super pigmented because they aren't. Don't get me wrong, they are lovely shadows and for someone on a budget or just trying to branch out into new colours (like me) then they are good for that purpose. I am forever saying to my friends that you get what you pay for with makeup with the odd gem in the budget mix, it is worth paying that little bit extra if you know they product is going to be excellent quality, worth your money and not leave you wondering why you bothered paying.

For the price, this quad is good and I will get use out of it, if not using all 4 shadows together but using them all in different ways and I'm glad I bought it just to experiment with new colours instead of always opting for the brown smoky eye.

Would you ever wear purple eyeshadow? What do you think of the quality of Rimmel eyeshadows?

the beauty scenario tag

1. You have to get rid of all your foundations and you can only keep one high end and one drugstore, which do you keep?

I don't actually own any 'real' high end foundations, my closest would be MAC Studio Fix Fluid which is a faultless product and I use everyday. For drugstore I would probably choose Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum for something a bit lighter in contrast to the MAC Studio Fix.

2. You go for an interview and the lady interviewing you has lipstick on her teeth. Do you approach the subject or ignore it completely?

If this were to be a friend I would no doubt tell them, but an interview situation is tricky. I think it depends on their attitude, if they were warm towards me and if it were for a job in the beauty industry/something similar then I would say something but if not, then I'd ignore it.

3. You're not feeling yourself and need a pick me up. Which lipstick do you put on to make yourself feel beautiful?

Ooh toughie! I wouldn't go for a strong lip, a red for example because the question suggests that you may be feeling a bit crappy! Possibly Rimmel Kate Moss in '#08' because it is an easy everyday nude/plum which can be worn with any makeup or clothing. It's a fail safe.

4. You go back in time for a day to your teenage years, how would you do your hair and makeup differently?

I would change so much. Scraped back pony tail with no bumps at all costs. Looking like you were bald in pictures? Yeah, not a great look. Glitter eyeliner was another big mistake of mine, or thick black liner all around my eyes. What was a thinking? I was either a glitter ball or had dramatic panda eyes.

5. You ask your hairdresser for a shoulder length Pixie Lott hair cut, but they hear wrong and give you a pixi cut. Do you a) Smile, say thank you, leave and call your mum hysterical b) Cry in the chair and things get awkward or c) Complain to the manager and demand a refund.

My hairdresser is just too lovely to say anything, she has been cutting my hair since the first time I ever got my hair cut, I refuse to go to anyone else. So I would refrain from saying something and worked with what I'd got, everyone makes mistakes!

6. Your friend surprises you with a 4 day city break and you have 1 hour to pack. Which 'do it all' palette do you pack in your makeup bag?

This is tough. I don't have a palette which includes eye shadow, blush and contour so I shall just include a palette for eyes. I would, without a shadow of doubt, choose the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. It has everything, from a shimmer highlight, matte browns for a brown smoky eye or wash of colour, a perfect brown for my brows and a matte black which is perfect for a subtle eyeliner. It's a frequent go to and is always in my handbag, especially when travelling.

7. Your house has been robbed, don't worry everyone is safe, but your beauty stash has been raided. What's the product you really hope is safe?

Oh goodness. Well luckily all the products I have are easily replaced as none are limited addition, so although I would be gutted about it, I would just see the bigger picture. My family are safe and that's the main thing!

8. Your friend borrows your makeup and returns it in awful condition. Do you 

a) Just pretend you haven't noticed 

b) Ask them to repurchase it 

or 

c) Secretly do the same to something of theirs

I would pretend I haven't noticed, they're my friend and I'll forgive them haha. It's happened at uni where my makeup box has been in my sink during predrinks (left from when I did my makeup in the bathroom mirror) and a drunken visitor turned the taps on and soaked my entire stash. If it's damaged, it can be replaced. Still a bit annoying though haha!

Now to tag! I tag anyone who has read this post, send me your links as I'd love to read your answers!

spring makeup and outfit idea

*Warning: Photo Heavy Post*

BASE: Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer / Revlon Colour Stay for Combination/Oily skin / Collection Lasting Perfection / 17 Phwoarr Paint / Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

BROWS: MUA #19 / Natural Collection Clear Mascara

CHEEKS: Topshop 'Head Over Heels' Cream Blush / MAC 'Harmony' Blush

EYES: Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo 'On and On Bronze' / L'Oreal Paris Colour Infaillible 'Sahara Treasure' / MAC 'Harmony' Blush / Urban Decay 'Venus' (from Naked Basics)

LIPS: Rimmel 'Amethyst Shimmer' /OR/ MAC 'Impassioned'

No idea what this face is... Delusions I think

Just a quick outfit idea which is pretty but a bit edgy at the same time. A simple white cropped top, floral skirt and grey vans paired with a gold chain necklace which could be worn long or double up to be shorter.

I'll definitely be making more use of the L'Oreal Colour Infaillible shadow as I forgot just how gorgeous it is! Plus Bronze/Shimmery eyes are bang on trend for SS14 so I will definitely be sticking to this and updating my neutral eyes. I'm also in love with the Rimmel Amethyst Shimmer lipstick which I bought just the other day. 

makeup look: valentine's day

  

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner '01 Black' 

It's that time of the year again and although I'm not spending this day with a significant other, I am going for food and drinks with all my single friends at uni so I'm going to wear this look out to feel a little special! 

The start of this look is most definitely a flawless base, my favourite foundation is Revlon Colour Stay which for me particularly, having oily skin, is a total saviour with it's great coverage and lasting power. A strong brow frames the eyes which I have left fairly simple so's not to upstage the pop of colour from the lips. I never usually wear a cat eye flick of eyeliner so I thought as I'm making a bit more of an effort than everyday I'd attempt and I don't think it went too badly! As always I used a firm beauty favourite of Maybelline 'The Falsies' mascara and you could even wear false lashes or a few individual lashes if you want to go all out! If you can't wear a red lip on Valentine's day, then when can you? It's a total classic and there are so many different shades you can go for depending on your skin shade. 

makeup look: christmas day

Why hello there! An exciting post (well I'm excited, not sure about you guys!) which I loved creating and photographing.

I decided to go for a more subtle eye than I am used to and a pop on colour on my lips, if you can't wear a red lip on christmas when can you?!

For my brows I used MAC's Charcoal Brown applied using a MAC 266 angled brush. A shimmery champagne all over the lid with MAC's Satin Taupe in the outer corner and a little berry shade for added definition.The lipstick I used was one from the Kate Moss Matte collection by Rimmel London in number 207 which is a bright berry red but I also love wearing MAC's Russian Red. 

I feel that this is a classic look which could be worn all throughout the festive period whether it be christmas shopping, a work christmas party or the big day itself! I wore this look all day and wearing a classic red lip hightened my confidence and made me feel like a real lady and I'm hoping it will have the same effect on some of you!

Have a wonderful christmas/holiday everyone, I hope it is filled with magic and sparkles for each one of you. My next post will probably be on new year's day when I start my new series (see previous post) which I'm rather pumped for!

See you soon chums! xox

My Everyday Winter Makeup Routine

Well hello chums!

Here's a post that's a little different! I was about to do my makeup for uni the other day and thought I'd take photo's of the process to show you what I do on an everyday basis now that winter has rolled in!

So here's me: facially naked on the internet for the first time. Feeling rather nervous! But no one's perfect right?

So my main base is: Revlon Colour Stay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

I then use the classic 'Collection Lasting Perfection Concealor' on any blemishes and under my eyes and set my T-Zone and under my eyes with Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

For my brows I use Sleek's Brow kit with a MAC 217 brush 

Wow, what was I thinking here?!

I use a bit of Burt's Bees lip balm which I love all year round but especially during winter. I keep it in my handbag at all times!

My eyeshadow base is 'Seventeen's' eye base in 'Wild Nude'

The shadows I use are MAC 'Satin Taupe' // MUA Number '' // Sleek iDivine Pallette in 'Au Naturel'

Brushes Galore!

I use the shimmery nude for my inner corners and the black for a bit of definition along the lash line and a tiny bit on the outer corners.

YSL Baby Doll mascara (Only a tester but it's on my Christmas list!)

Here's the finished eyes!

Now for contour and blush! Sleek contour kit and Seventeen's blush in 'First Flush'

*Poser alert!*

For this particular day I mixed two lipsticks: MAC Vegas Volt and Rimmel Kate Moss '' But I tend to wear red and berry shades during this time such as MAC Russian Red//Lady Danger

THE FINISHED LOOK! 

I also wore this makeup out in the evening to the cinema and to dinner last weekend but made the eyes slightly darker and added a little more mascara and I was good to go!