Monday, 19 September 2016

Everyday Makeup Essentials


I read so many blogs and watch so many makeup videos talking about girl’s ‘everyday makeup bags’ and I’m always a lil skeptical. How is it so neat and how do you use SO many things EVERYDAY? I switch and swap the contents of my face all the flipping time and so there are very few things that I use everyday. When I get new products to try out for work I still get excited and want to put them on my face immediately and so these are currently the things that have stuck. 

I promise you, you will not regret forking out the money for this foundation. Yes, it’s bloody expensive (Like the equivalent of looking at Whistles prices when you’re used to H&M) but boy, is it worth it. The beauty is not only in it’s formula - which stays put and doesn’t shine on throughout the day -  it’s in the applicator. So. Handy. The chic twist-up stick means that it’s great to apply and retouch when you’re out and about and the triangular shape means it’s excellent at using as a concealer too (just be careful around the eyes as it’s a full coverage formula and therefore subject to creasing). Also this has a fab shade range for us Black girls. 

I don’t tend to do my full makeup on my commute - usually just my mascara. I don’t know how or why this came about but as soon as I get on the bus I’ll whip it out, carefully applying on the straight and usually bump free route to the train station. I love this particular mascara because the wand is so tiny that you can apply it right to the root of the lash and to the smallest hairs with minimal chance of mess. It gives excellent length, volume and separation with no clumping. 

Ahh the allure of the brown lip still pulls me right in and this is my favourite liner out there. In fact this old gal hadn’t ever finished a lip liner until this came along and changed the game. Even if I’m just popping on a regular lip balm I’ll still put this on to give my cupid’s bow extra definition - it just makes my lips the perfect nude-y brown. Just remember to fill in your entire lip and not just the outline otherwise you’ll be harking back to a trend in makeup we all just want to forget tbh.

This newbie makes creating a solid brow shape unbelievably easy. It comes with a spooli on one end and the waxy pencil on the other. It’s amazing for filling in gaps with light feather-like strokes and doesn’t budge, I recently wore it in 37 degree heat in Vegas and still had on point brows come nightfall. Impressive. 

I don’t think this will be everybody’s cup of tea but I love it. After reverting to eyeliner pens for a little bit and getting frustrated but how quickly they all dried up, I gave this a try. I love how wet and inky it is, it’s so smooth to apply and the tip is great for creating a cat eye. It’s going to work better for people that are seasoned in eyeliner application (I wear it everyday) as it’s easy to make a mistake with due to the wetness. 

This used to be a “special occasions” product but I enjoyed the highlight so much I upgraded it to everyday status. Using a Real Techniques Bronzing Brush and a very light touch this gives a perma-sun-kissed glow. It’s been a consisted fixture in these parts for over a year now and it’s still going strong. God bless you, Charlotte. 


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Monday, 13 June 2016

Video - My Current Make-Up Essentials


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Saturday, 17 October 2015

CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAGIC FOUNDATION REVIEW


I don't think a foundation has ever been more aptly named than this bad boy! When I saw this floating around the blogosphere from July I was more than intrigued. I'm not usually one for full coverage foundation as I don't have that much hyper-pigmentation and only get the odd spot, so I tend to stick to light coverage or sometimes branch out to medium. However, a recurrent problem I face with my current crop of foundations is that by lunchtime, without doubt, my t-zone is shining like a beacon! I get so so oily it is literally sebum central. So when I saw this was the new foundation on the block that claimed to leave a demi-matte finish - well, I just had to try it.

(left - bare-faced//right - with the foundation)

The Good
Despite being so full coverage and flawless when applied, it doesn't feel heavy at all. I like to use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush to work it into my skin and once it's set down it it literally leaves your skin looking airbrushed. The finish is definitely matte (but not drying) so you don't need to use a powder to set it. The great thing is that despite the matte finish your skin still looks glowing! I usually find that mattifying products can leave the face looking quite flat but this foundation leaves the skin radiant without using any glitter or shimmer. I'd say, in terms of endurance, it lasts well - say about 8/9 hours - without needing to powder.

The Bad
One thing I would say is the colour range is definitely lacking. While I'm happy that they DO cater to dark skin (which should just totally be the norm in this day and age) I found it crazy that there is only one shade darker than mine (11) and it's still not even that dark - I mean, what would Lupita do? The only other thing that I don't like is something that I also love about the foundation the fact that it doesn't need powder. It's great because it's one less step you have to do BUT I found that when it gets to the time that a little shine starts sneaking through at the end of the day and you want to touch up with powder, if you're going out after work for instance, I found that it just doesn't powder well. I've tried a few different ones and it just ends up looking hella cakey.

Overall this is the perfect foundation if you're looking for flawless coverage with staying power. Just don't try and powder it, OK?
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Wednesday, 29 July 2015

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Marie Antoinette - Review


I wish you could have all seen me when I got my hands on this piece of Charlotte Tilbury goodness! Luckily I was in the presence of my Beauty Editor so she completely understood why I was so very happy - I think had it been a non beauty addict they would have written me off as a complete loon. 

Anywho the above bad boy is the Charlotte Tilbury Eye to Mesmerise in Marie Antoinette and I love it! The formula is uber creamy and blendable but sets pretty quickly and does not budge or crease - it's a lot more mousse-like than a cream shadow like the M.A.C Paint Pots.

 The below pic is a sheer coat of it that I applied just with my fingers. I prefer applying products with my fingers when first trying them as you get a feel for the texture, however this product definitely creates a more perfected, statement finish when applied and worked in with a blending brush. You really don't need much per use so I'm expecting this to last a while, which is grand because it really is a bit of a splurge.


On a lighter skin tone I imagine this to be a lot more striking, but on my colouring it's quite sheer, a perfect accompaniment to a soft brown liner and lashings of mascara. 




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