October Favourites 2015

Again, this post is a few weeks late but I'm still loving all these products and it's my first chatty video so I wanted to share it on here.



What products are you loving at the minute? Share your October Favourites videos and blogposts below, I'd love to have a nosy :)

Dramatic Smoky Eye Makeup Tutorial

This tutorial was uploaded a few weeks ago as a Halloween tutorial but it's essentially just an intense smoky eye with 3 lip options so I thought I'd upload it on here in case any of you missed it!

All products used are in the description of the video as always :) Let me know what you think of this look!

Warm Fall Smoky Eye

Today's tutorial is a very exciting one as it's a lot more dramatic than my previous looks and is so fall/autumn appropriate and as we're well into October now I though it was about time I whipped out those red autumnal shades.

Also I just want to apologise for the long gap between videos again. I am really trying to upload more frequently but with the work of final year at uni it's a bit of juggling act. I'm hoping to get into more of a routine soon (and also speed up at editing as I'm still new and pretty slow).

Let me know what you think of this look and if you have created your own autumnal makeup look link it below, I'd love to check it out :)

If you're curious about any of the products used there is a full list in the video description box!

Autumn Makeup Tutorial - Dark Lips and Winged Liner

Gosh this video has been a long time coming, I'm starting to discover the joys of technological failings. Anyway, the video is here now and it's very exciting as it's my first autumn/fall makeup tutorial. I wanted to ease into the season with, what I think is, a fairly natural look. I love wearing a bold lip while keeping everything else very minimal as I think it keeps it looking modern and makes sure all attention is on the lips.

I hope you enjoy the tutorial and please let me know what your favourite bold lip colour is as I'm always on the look out for the next best thing! Make sure to comment, like and share the video if you enjoy!

Full Strobing Makeup Tutorial

Today I'm sharing with you my makeup routine for when I want to enhance what's left of my summer tan with a bronzey makeup look and make my skin beam with highlighter to get that "strobed" makeup look. I really like this look and think it's so flattering. It makes you look healthy and radiant and keeps that summer skin lasting into Autumn. I really hope you like this look and if you do please subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Products Used
- Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer http://goo.gl/O9ja5d
- Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF 15 - 02 Beige http://goo.gl/V35dKV
- Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - 52 Eclat Medium http://goo.gl/A7nQS0
- Mac 217 Brush http://goo.gl/0n5wqj
- Vera Beauty Lip Brush 318 http://goo.gl/btohdM
- Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel http://goo.gl/PhRBnN
- Real Techniques Buffing Brush http://goo.gl/HCtWzc
- Urban Decay Primer Potion - Eden http://goo.gl/nFxPXB
- Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Warm Beige http://goo.gl/Oehrpt
- Nars Bronzing Powder - Laguna http://goo.gl/D8iQem
- Vera Beauty Blending Brush 217 http://goo.gl/btohdM
- Kiko All Over Light Powder - 03 This exact product is discontinued but any gold toned highlight will work. Here are a few possible dupes -
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed - Opal http://goo.gl/ecu1C8
Mac Mineralize Skinfinish - Soft and Gentle http://goo.gl/rPdCvI
- Vera Beauty Flat Shader 247 http://goo.gl/btohdM
- Nars Blush - Orgasm http://goo.gl/bQKb4x
- Vera Beauty Pencil Brush 219 http://goo.gl/btohdM
- Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler http://goo.gl/UhfHFK
- Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara http://goo.gl/x3RqQk
- Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette - Naked http://goo.gl/vlLv9B
- Vera Beauty Small Angle Brush 263 http://goo.gl/btohdM
- Soap and Glory Archery http://goo.gl/wBMcxp
- Eco Tools Brush - Part of this set http://goo.gl/ZQYa9V
- Cream Highlight I used is discontinued. Here are some possible dupes -
Sleek Makeup Precious Metals Highlighting Palette - Platinum http://goo.gl/ikqywr
Mac Cream Colour Base - Luna or Pearl http://goo.gl/JEFoyg
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured - Pearl http://goo.gl/hBzpzp
- No 7 Eye Colour Brush http://goo.gl/eDh9OR
- Jerome Alexander Brush - Available in this set http://goo.gl/ZBdd1g
- No 7 Precision Lips Pencil - Nude http://goo.gl/Yg4Wwz
- Bella Pierre Lip Gloss http://goo.gl/3fkNao

Let me know what you think of this look and thanks for watching!

Kylie Jenner Inspired Makeup Tutorial - My First YouTube Video!

Hey guys, long time no see! Apologies for the unbelievably long absence but I'm back with possibly my most exciting post ever! I have just uploaded my first ever YouTube video! I can't explain how exciting this is for me. I have been watching YouTube beauty videos since I discovered Juicystar07, aged 14, and I was gripped immediately. I thought it looked like so much fun and was very quickly addicted to this weird and wonderful online world of makeup. I was always too scared that my friends would find out or that it was a strange thing to do, however now that it's so popular (and also I've realised I really don't care what anyone else thinks) I've finally bitten the bullet and uploaded my first video!

Enough of that, on to the actual video..

This tutorial is inspired by my fav - Kylie Jenner. I loved her look from Coachella (I should mention this video was filmed a few months ago) and thought it was quite a typical Kylie look so tried my best to recreate it. It combines a simple, matte, neutral eye with flirty, fluttery eyelashes and overlined, over the top, statement lips.

 


Products Used
- Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - 53 Light Beige http://goo.gl/ejFEKv
- Real Techniques Buffing Brush http://goo.gl/6JxMuR
- Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - 2 Cool Medium http://goo.gl/AOIEWX
- Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow - Creamy Beige http://goo.gl/wWik0s
- Urban Decay Naked Palette - Naked and Buck http://goo.gl/FI4npq
- Mac 217 Brush http://goo.gl/MK7s89
- Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler http://goo.gl/xO29kL
- Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Gel Liner - Black http://goo.gl/cthuPL
- Liner brush http://goo.gl/dBiQN3
- Lancome Grandiose Mascara - 01 Noir Mirifique http://goo.gl/eqcQ1O
- Soap & Glory Archery - Blondshell http://goo.gl/uHJqpe
- Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Warm Beige http://goo.gl/N26wZd
- EcoTools Bamboo Powder Brush http://goo.gl/kp8o8X
- Rimmel Natural Bronzer - Sun Glow http://goo.gl/MCu7sd
- EcoTools smaller brush - part of this set http://goo.gl/Cx7gkf
- Urban Decay Bronzer Baked - Discontinued - Sorry! Any shimmery bronzer will do
- Max Factor Color Elixir Lip Liner - Mauve Moment http://goo.gl/Dz7g6p
- Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick - Nude Perfection http://goo.gl/RRfIVC
- Maybelline Superstay 24hr Dual Ended Lip Color - Rose Dust http://goo.gl/FfEaz8
- Eylure Lash Wardrobe London - middle set - no 117 - also sold individually http://goo.gl/tHJDaI
- Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder - Medium http://goo.gl/BeO7iy
- Real Techniques Contour Brush http://goo.gl/6JxMuR

Thanks so much for watching! Please let me know what you think - all feedback is very welcome as I have a lot to learn ha! Hope you've all had a lovely weekend :)

Lots of love xx

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation + FOTD

Today I thought I would share with you a foundation that I have been using for months - Bourjois Healthy Mix. This always gets rave reviews and I have liked it since I began using it but only now that I've nearly finished it am I realising just how good it is. It has a really nice coverage level for me that is light enough to wear in the daytime but also can be built up to wear on a night out too (especially when combined with the other hundred products I pile on).

I have really dry skin and this is one of few foundations I've tried that doesn't cling too badly to dry patches and gives a nice natural skin like finish. If you have normal or oily skin I think this would have a much dewier finish but on me it's very natural looking. I've also tried the Healthy Mix Concealer and I really like that too. It has good coverage but is still very light and has a lovely finish.

I'm wearing Healthy Mix in these photos and hopefully you can see the nice natural finish it gives. I'm also wearing all this:
Face - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Light Beige, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Cool Medium (I couldn't find my Healthy Mix concealer but I love them both), Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel
Brows - Soap & Glory Archery in Blondshell
Eyes - Stila Smudge Pot in Taupe (can't find a link anywhere, sorry!), L'Oreal Super Liner Eye Liner in Black Lacquer, Lancome Grandiose Mascara
Lips - Autograph Ultimate Wear Long Lasting Lip Lacquer in Ruby Red - This is currently on sale for £3 and is amazing! I wore it for the first time yesterday and am so impressed. It has a nice colour and consistency but what amazed me was the lasting power as it stayed on perfectly through a very greasy, messy dinner - incredible! I will definitely be looking at more colours in the range.

Apologies for the frizzy hair btw, you'll quickly learn that a lot more time and effort goes on my makeup than hair.

Since I've very nearly finished my Healthy Mix Foundation I need a replacement but would like to try something new so if you have any recommendations for foundations for dry skin let me know! Thanks for reading :)

Kylie Jenner Lips

Kylie Jenner - the latest member of the Kardashian clan to provide us with endless selfies, major wardrobe envy and her most famous asset that everyone is obsessed with.. the lips. How many times in the last 6 months have you heard the phrase "Kylie Jenner lip," whether it's the title of your favourite YouTuber's latest tutorial, your friend describing the colour of lipstick she's after or the latest Daily Mail headline trying to decipher whether the famous pout is real or fake? It's safe to say we are in the middle of a visibly lined, overdrawn, nude lip obsession in the online beauty community and I am just another victim to the hype.. And I love it. Since I first tried this look a few months ago it has been my favourite combination and I have become so used to seeing myself with a fuller pout that I now feel so naked with just lipstick or gloss.

To achieve this look I start by lining my lips with the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob and filling them in. I love the colour of this as it's pink but has enough brown in it to make it a nude shade and also isn't too pale which, I think, is the key to achieving that Kylie shade. This liner is so creamy and smooth and glides on the lips with no tugging and doesn't highlight dry patches the way other lip liners can. I then take the Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lip Liner in Black Tulip and fill in the corners of my lips and line the edges. I like the difference in colour to be visible but soft so I use my finger to blend the edges to avoid a harsh line. Then to finish the lip I use a really old Mac lipstick (Lady Glam Gaga 2 if you're interested - ancient, I know) which was limited edition but any pale nude will do the trick. I swipe a little bit of this in the centre of my lips and this finishes off the ombre effect. These products leave a matte finish which I like but if you like you can apply a gloss on top to give a shiny look.

I think this lip can be the focus of your look if you want it to be by wearing it with glowy skin, mascara and defined brows but I also love it with dark smoky eyes for a night out because even though it's very heavy, it's still neutral in colour so works perfectly for an ultra glam, "done" makeup look.

Let me know in the comments if you have jumped on the bandwagon with the Kylie Jenner lips and, if you have, what are your favourite products to achieve the look?

Red Lips | 3 Ways

I know Christmas is long gone now; the decorations have been packed away for another year and the chocolate is finally eaten up, but one thing that's not going away any time soon are the red lips. I have been loving red lips since before Christmas and I just cannot get enough. I love the way a red gloss makes you look put together in one quick swipe but I also love the intensity of a full on Marilyn Monroe, over drawn, glamourous lip. Today I thought I'd share with you three of my current red lip favourites and would love to hear yours too so feel free to enable me in the comments.

The first option when it comes to trying red is to go glossy. I got this gloss a few months ago in a freebie box from Boots and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. It's the Maxfactor Colour Elixir Lipgloss in Captivating Ruby. As you can see from the swatch it's pretty strongly pigmented and is a nice true red colour. I like wearing this in the day time for a statement lip that isn't too try hard. Also the formula is lovely and smooth, shimmer free and leaves behind a pretty stain.

Another option for a glossy, not too dramatic red is this one from Dior. It's their Dior Addict Extreme in Pandore and it's really lovely. It's slightly sheerer and more of a raspberry pink tone than the Maxfactor one but this also has a really nice consistency. It's so smooth and comfortable to wear and it leaves a nice pink stain behind so no need to worry about touching up throughout the day. Also, can we just take a minute to appreciate the packaging?! It's so sophisticated and luxurious and makes me feel very fancy when putting it on.

The third and final of my choices is the most dramatic and my favourite of the three. When it comes to red lips there is a part of me that thinks, "Go hard or go home!" as there is something so glamourous and timeless about a heavy red lip. My current choice for this look is the Daniel Sandler Luxury Matte Lipstick in Casablanca. My sister bought me this for Christmas and it was love at first site for me. The colour is so perfect, it's not too warm or cool toned so should work on most skin tones and although it's a true red it's a slightly darker shade which just gives some extra depth and intensity to the colour. Can you tell I love it yet?! This lasts really well too; after eating and drinking you might need to slightly touch up the inside of your lips but overall it stays on really well.

Swatches are left to right the Maxfactor, Dior then Daniel Sandler.

An honourable mention also needs to go to the Barry M Lip Liner in 3 which stays on for days!

I hope you've enjoyed this post, let me know your favourite red lip options in the comments below! Have a nice day everyone :)

Boots Haul

It started with the eyebrow pencil. My old one was too dark and too warm so obviously a trip to Boots was on the cards to get a new eyebrow pencil and nothing else... But how boring would that be?

I'd heard great things about the Soap and Glory Archery eyebrow pencil from Lily Pebbles and when I found it in store it looked like exactly what I was after - a thin pencil to draw individual hairs. a light grey-ish taupe colour (much better than the warm brown I was previously using) and not to forget the spoolie on the end and the ease of a twist up pencil - what's not to love? I bought the colour "Blondshell" and so far so good. It's much lighter than what I was used to but I think I need to accept that blonde hair and very dark eyebrows isn't the best look. Also I love how thin the tip of the pencil is and that I'll never be lost without a sharpener.

So eyebrow pencil in hand, happy with my choice, mission complete, yeah? Don't be silly, as soon as I saw the 3 for 2 signs covering the stands in Boots it was never going to be a one product shop, was it? So I asked myself what I could justify purchasing because I "needed" it and I decided on an eyeshadow brush. I managed to leave lots of mine at home so my uni makeup application has consisted of a few very well loved brushes doing all the work and lots of finger blending. I chose the No7 Eye Colour Brush and so far I really like it. It's made of synthetic hairs which are very soft and it's nice and dense. I've been using it to pack colour on to the lid and it's doing the job nicely.

The lipstick was not necessary but I got it for free so who cares! If you read this blog post you'll know that I was after a 90's inspired brown lipstick and this one fits the bill quite nicely, It's Seventeen's Stay Pout Lipstick in the shade "Fond Farewell". It's a deep brown with a lot of red in it and a slightly metallic finish. It's not the sort of colour I usually go for but I actually really like it. It's dark enough to be quite vampy and bold but something different to the usual plum and burgundy shades. I've never heard anyone talk about this range and I think they deserve some blogging love! They're nice and creamy, very opaque and last well on the lips. Also, at £4.49 a lipstick, they're an absolute bargain!

You can see the eyebrow pencil and lipstick in action in the pictures above and for good measure I'll tell you what else I'm wearing.

Face - Estee Lauder Perfectionist Foundation in Desert Beige, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 2 Cool Medium and Mac Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

Eyes - Soap and Glory Archery eyebrow pencil, Urban Decay Naked Palette (Virgin, Sin and Naked), L'Oreal Super Liner Eye Liner in Black Laquer, Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara and Max Factor Masterpiece MAX Mascara

Lips - Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in "Fond Farewell"

Today I received a double points Boots coupon in the post so I'm sure it won't be long until I make another sneaky purchase. Let me know your favourite products from the drugstore in the comments below :)

A Nosy Into My Sister's Makeup Stash...

As mentioned in my last post, beauty blogging and the whole YouTube beauty world is something I discovered years ago and have been obsessed with ever since, however my sister, Tara, was slightly late to the game. Since stumbling upon this community a few months ago, she has gone on a bit of a spending spree and bought many products I have been lusting after. This of course meant I had to try out what she'd bought and here's what I came up with:

I started by using the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer under my foundation. This was not what I expected it to be at all. I thought it would be transparent with lots of shine and glow. It is in fact very shimmery and has an almost silvery-white colour to it (as seen below). This is one that would need to be layered under foundation as it left my skin with a slightly ghostly look to it which was not what I was going for. I'm definitely going to try this again with a foundation I'm more familiar with to see if it does actually add much glow.

Next I used the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation in the colour 150 Nude which I wasn't massively fond of, although my skin is horribly dry at the minute so i doubt any foundation would have looked decent. I will try this again once my skin's in a better state.

I then caked on the concealer starting with Revlon Photoready Eye Primer and Brightener in 003 followed by the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser in Light to try and cover up the dark circles from too many end of uni exam celebrations. Next I added blusher (Mac Style) and bronzer (Benefit's Hoola which by the way has gone straight on my shopping list)

I accidentally used the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe instead of On and On Bronze so ended up with an unintentional grey all over my lids so I then used Verve and Pistol from the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette and a bit of Suspect in the crease to soften the edges. I skipped eyeliner because of the accidental dark eyeshadow and went ahead and curled my eyelashes and was amazed... Tara had gone straight to the real deal and bought the Shu Uemura eyelash curler which blew me away. I've been using a No 7 one the last couple of months which I thought was doing the job just fine. I didn't really get how an eyelash curler could be significantly better than another but boy was I wrong! I felt as though my lashes doubled in length with this thing! I used Tara's Bourjois Volumizer mascara which no matter how many times I try I still don't like! I feel like it gives me about three ridiculously long eyelashes and I would rather have loads of shorter ones.

By this point I realised I had gone slightly OTT for a casual Sunday evening so left my lips plain with just some Rosy Lips Vaseline.

So there we go, my first impressions on a load of products I was curious about. There are some instant loves (hello Shu Uemura and Hoola!!) and some products that I think need another go, let's just hope Tara doesn't mind ;)

Have you guys tried any of these? Let me know your thoughts if so :)