£3 Highlighter?!

I am a sucker for highlighters. Every time I head into Boots or Superdrug I always find myself dusting the sparkly pigments onto my hand... and guys, have I found a sparkly pigment! These highlighter are bloody blinding. They are from the brand MUA which is becoming more and more popular in the make up world. When I bought these they were 2 for £5, but now they are priced up at £3 each, which is still a barg. 
I picked up the shades pearlescent sheen (frosty white with a hint of blue) & iridescent gold (pale yellow with gold flecks). I've got to say out of the two the pearlescent sheen has to be my favourite. I love the blue undertone it has to it, and when the light hits it, it is so beautiful. I love the iridescent gold too, but it isn't as strong and pigmented as the blue toned highlighter.
The staying power of these products are pretty good. I mean they don't stay on forever but I can still see a bit of sparkle on my cheek bone at the end of the day. 
As for the packaging it could be better as it is just a white and clear plastic casing, but for the price it doesn't really bother me.

Have you ever tried anything from MUA?

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Shade Adjusting Drops From The Body Shop.

A little while ago I did a review on the Jackie Oates Colour Supplement from Lush. I wasn't that impressed with the product and ever since, my hunt for a magical potion that lightens foundation continued. Until I came across The Body Shop's take on the shade adjusting product. Spoiler, I bloody love it!

So, as you can see it is basically just a white foundation that you mix with your foundation if it is slightly too dark for you. 1 drop is meant to lighten your foundation by 1/2 a shade. I usually add 2 drops, to my Revlon Colour Stay foundation (Ivory). It's a great product for pale peoples (like myself) to help lighten up orangey drug store foundations. Lets be honest, it is really hard to find a pale foundation which doesn't oxidate. Plus if you are not willing to splash out on a £30+ higher end foundation this is a great alternative to add to the bases you already have.

These drops are made from a concentration of white and pink pigments which helps neutralise yellowness while lightening. They also have darkening drops, these help guys and gals who find their foundations too light or ashy. A mixture of black and red pigments helps darken while keeping the natural depth. 

The only problem I have with the product is the packaging. I really liked the idea of the little pipette but it just doesn't pick up the lightening product. No matter how many time you squeeze the top or shake it, it just doesn't really grap anything. That is the one and only fault I have with the product. 

(Update: I have just read a few reviews and a lot of people have said the same about the packaging, don't let that put you off though!)

Have you ever tried this product? Or anything similar?

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Jeffree Star's (Holiday Collection) Velour Liquid Lipsticks In Designer Blood & Pumpkin Pie.

Today I am blabbing on about a holiday edition product so it is classed as a Chrsitmassy post, right? Haha! It was actually a total accident that I picked up two of the Jeffree Star holiday products. I just chose the two shades I liked the most! I did want Unicorn Blood but I think that is pretty hard to get hold of, well I feel like its hard to get hold of on Beauty Bay anyway. I have heard Designer Blood is very similar so I had to add it to my basket.  

Before we get onto the post I feel like I have to apologise for how badly I have applied these products haha! I am learning!!

So lets start with Pumpkin Pie. I am a sucker for orange lipsticks, but I only tend to wear them in the summer. I thought this dark/brick orange shade was perfect for the colder months. I also don't mind the gold sparkle that has been added to this formula, it's not too much. 
I can't really review these lips yet as I have only had them for a day or so but I can tell you how this one felt from testing it out. 
It is very light weight and feels comfortable on the lips. It isn't streaky either which is a win! I thought Designer Blood was going to be my favourite but surprisingly, I think this one is!

Speaking of Designer Blood, I'd say its kind of a love/hate relationship. I mean I don't hate it, I love the deep, rich colour of the product and the coverage is amazing, but (as with all dark lip products) it has to be applied perfectly... Otherwise it just looks like, well a mess. When I first tried this I got it everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE! It was on my hands, teeth, clothes even the light switches haha! 

I did wear this one out today and I loved it, apart from it going a tad cakey towards the end of the day. To be honest I think this was just down to me though. I feel like I applied way too much! I just need to learn to work with the product first I think.

My first impressions are good so far! I love the colours that I picked up and the colour selection is amazinggggg. Like I said I think I just need to learn how to work with the product and not pile it all on at once, oops!

Have you ever tried Jeffree Star Cosmetics?



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Last Minute Easy Special Effects Make Up (Mermaid Scales).

I know that this is really last minute and I am disappointed in myself but I thought I'd share anyway... this is a super easy mermaid, dragon, scaly look I created. Using only fake blood, latex (both from Wilko's), cotton wool and a few eye shadows this looks is surprising easy to create. 

I first started off with mixing cotton wool and latex together to create the scales individually. Once I had around 6 scales I started to bond them to my skin using more latex. I made sure the scales curled up slightly to give it more dimension. Once the scales were attached I let them dry then covered them in foundation to match my skin tone. If you are going to use this for a mermaid look you could always paint the scales blue, or green if you are going for the dragon look.

Once the scales matched my skin tone I simply shaded in with black eye shadow and added a ton of fake blood on top of the black, to make it look like the scales were lifted from my skin and all bloody. Its hard to explain but I am sure you can get the gist from the photos. I also added some faint veins and bruising around the scales.

Believe it or not this only took me around 1 hour to create. The longest part was waiting for the latex to dry! It is really easy and super handy if you are in need of a last min halloween costume, but still want to look like you put in loads of effort.

Are you doing anything for halloween this year?

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£2 Lip Crayon?!

I love trying inexpensive make up, whether its brands I have used before or ones I have never heard of, I give them all an equal chance. 

So, today I am going to chat about another Primark product. It's the PS... Velvet Matte Lipstick Crayon in a dark vampy/plum colour. I don't know the actual colour name (I think it might be called shameless?). I had high exceptions for this product, the Lip Liners are lovely and really affordable. Unfortunately, I could not say the same for this lip crayon. When applied to the lips it cakes up almost instantly. It feels so heavy when it's on and leaves that weird ring around the lips when it starts to come off. Although it isn't on the same level as their lip liners I am glad I tried it out. It just a shame because I really do love the colour.

I am on the hunt for a dark lipstick with great staying power, if you know of any leave recommendations in the comments! 

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Natural Looking Make-Up For School.

So a lot of people are back at school, college etc etc after the six week hols. When it was time for me to go back to school I always wanted to 'recreate' myself (this only started from about year 9, I never bothered with make up until then). I never wanted to go back looking the same as I did when I left. The only way I could switch it up was with a new hair cut, a new style which fitted in with my uniform (I did go through a scarf phase...even in summer *cringe*) or try out some new make up. My school was pretty strict about make up so I had to wear something natural looking which was a challenge to recreate differently every year.

Now, I have got slightly better at make up in the past couple of years so this is a look that I would wear if I was at school now and which should fit in with the school rules (if you have any). 

For base I think the Revlon Colour Stay has great coverage but still looks super natural and fresh. This is the foundation I wear nowadays but at school I used to wear the L'oreal True Match which is equally as good and slightly cheaper, win! 
To conceal the under eyes and spots I went for the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. This isn't very brightening, its better for the coverage and again is cheap and cheerful! I didn't set the foundation as I want to keep it fresh looking and not too thick. To shape my face I used the Clarins Bronzing Duo. I used the lighter side to carve out my cheek bones. There are cheaper alternative for bronzers like the Bourjois Bronzing Powder. I finished the base off with the Sleek Highlighting Palette, using the tiniest amount added it to the cheek bones and nose. I think this give the look a youthful and awake vibe. Oh, I almost forgot, blush!! I added Natural Collection Pink Cloud to my cheeks, adding to the youthful feel.

As for eyes I kept it extremely simple, adding a wash of Clarins mascara to the eyelashes. And brows you ask? I never used to do anything to mine at school... I was too afraid hahaha! But now I just comb them through adding Benefit Browzing to shape them.

Thats my take on the natural back to school look. 
What are your natural looking make up tips?

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Sleek MakeUp Highlighting Palette.

I am baccccck! I've only been gone for like 13 days (it feels like a million years) but I have bloody missed writing on my little old blog! I have been so busy with work I just haven't had time to do anything. It kind of makes me sad because this blog is the thing I really love, I just have to find the balance between that, work and my social life...please help, hahaha! Anyway I am back today with a review of the Sleek Highlighting Palette in Solstice. Actually, scratch that, it isn't really a 'review' its more of just an opinion.

I love the golden/bronze colour, it makes the product feel a lot more expensive than it was. Inside there are 4 highlight shades (Ecliptic, Hemisphere, Subsolar, Equinox). One is a cream highlight and the rest are powders. To be honest I can't really rate the cream highlight because I tend to stick with powders, I just prefer the finish a powder gives. My favourite shade is deffo the yellow toned one. It is so seamless when applied to the skin, it doesn't just sit in one spot. Also with it having the yellow tones to it, it doesn't give me the tin man look (y'know what it mean?!). As for the lilac and bronze shade, they are equally as great! I like to mix these with the yellow shade to tone them down a bit, but I love the tint of colour it adds to the cheek bone. For £10 this product is amazing! I first saw Jeffree Star using this product and he is like the Queen of highlight, so I knew it was going to be a good'en! 

Have you tried this palette yet?

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Summer Essentials: Beauty.

My Summer beauty essentials, well they never really change to be honest. My first love is a good moisuriser. You probably know that I have been loving Aveeno lotion recently (I even did a whole post on it here). Its super moisturising and great to use on sunburn!

Now on to the make-up. I dug out this Sleek blush (Lifes a peach) that I loved last year, and now I remember why. The orangey colour mixed with a lightly bronzed face is a match made in heaven. The blush is so pigmented, you only need a swift swipe (try saying that ten times fast, haha!) and you're good to go.

This may sound odd, but in summer I just love having a cool bath. In the warmer months I tend to reach for orangey, zesty fragrances and this Lush bubble bar called Bright side is the perfect match. Does any one else enjoy cool baths in summer or is that just me? Hahaha!

Those are my summer essentials, what are yours?

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£1 Lip Liner?!

Yep! You heard right, a lip liner for £1! It is an amazing product too. This £1 lip liner is from *drum roll please* Primark! I have always browsed their make up section but only ever reached for their nail polishes (which are also pretty good). This time I decided to part with one pound for one of their lip products. 

Shade 09 jumped out at me straight away. It is the perfect mauve colour with extra pinky tones, my fave kind of colour to wear on my lips. The consistency of the lip pencil is extremely creamy, I'd say its more of a lip crayon texture. The product is matte so it can be a tiny bit drying at times and I have noticed that it does clog up on the lips after a few applications, but hey it was a £1. Once applied I just add a tad of Vaseline to soften the lips up a bit, this stops the cloggyness (just made my own word up there) too.

What more can I say? It was a pound and it is a lovely product, well worth the money!

Have you ever tried Primark cosmetics?

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£1.50 Concealer?!

Being really pale can be difficult make-up wise. You've got to hunt for the perfect shade of foundation which can be a mission in itself. But then you've gotta find your powder and a bronzer that doesn't look mucky and blah blah blah, you know the story. 
Anyway, this particular day I was on the hunt for a concealer to highlight with. I came across this MUA Cover & Conceal Wand for just £1.50. I thought I was getting an absolute bargain, even if it didn't work for me, it was only £1.50 right? They did it in a good variety of colours too, especially for paler skin tones. 

When I first tried this product out I loved it. It was the perfect colour for a subtle highlight (coverage wise it isn't that good), but through out the day I noticed my make up was disappearing around my nose and under my eyes. I was suffering from dry skin at the time so I just put it down to that. I carried on using it, soon realising that it was the concealer vanishing from my face and taking any trace of foundation with it. I've tried it a couple of times again but the same keeps happening. I've tried it under my foundation instead but, the same just keeps happening! I feel like this product would be good for people who do not really have big, visible pores. But for me, it was a no go. I did try to cover up blemishes with it instead, but the texture and consistency of it is very light and almost watery.

I am still on the hunt for a concealer to highlight with so if you have any suggestions, please please pleaseeee let me know!

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Quick Everyday Make-up (Updated).

My Make Up Routine post from like a year ago (!!) has been one of my most popular posts yet, so I thought it was about time I did a little updated version. Some of the things are the same but a few bits have changed as I have slightly (very slightly) gotten better at make up.

I have been testing out the Nivea Post Shave Balm lately. Loadssss of people have been going on about how good it is to keep make up put. To be honest I haven't seen much of a difference... apart from the fact that I smell like a man by the time I have finished my make up haha.

I then do my usual base, Revlon Colour Stay Foundation & Collection Concealer. I have been using the MUA Concealer (only £1.50!) as a brightening product under my eyes, down my nose and on my chin. Its amazing but the consistency of it is slightly watery which isn't great for coverage.

I move on to contouring and highlighting with my Smash Box Shape Matters palette, which isn't pictured because it actually looks disgusting now! RIP Smash Box palette prettiness. Then that is the base done.

Onto eyes & brows. I add a swipe of the W7 brown shadow to my crease and the white to my brow bone. I am in love with this little bargain! It was only like £1.75!

My brows are pretty much the same - Benefit Browzing and my Real Techniques Brow brush. In fact the L'oreal eyeliner and mascara is more or less the same too!

As you can see, when I find a routine I like I tend to stick with it until I pick up the confidence to try something new.

Do you like to switch it up or keep the same make up routine?

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New Years Eve Make Up Picks.

We are almost into 2016, I cant believe it! This year didn't go too fast but the christmas period zoomed by and with that gone it is time to look forward to new year! I don't actually have any NYE plans but if I did this would be the make up that I would reach for... planning my make up for a night out that isn't going to happen, logic.

I decided to go with the Smashbox #Shapematters palette to fill in my eyebrows, highlight and contour..well, I try my best to make my potato head look more shapely. For the eyes I went with Max Factor White Satin all over the lid as the base, topping it up with Max Factor Creme Champagne. Then adding, Smashbox Stripped (beige) to the crease and a tiny bit of Sumatra (dark brown) to the outer corners. To put that into simpler terms, a brown smoky eye phaha! I tried this look the other day and it was super easy, and that's coming from some one who is rubbish at make up. I cant finish an eye with out a feline flick, using my fave L'Oreal Super Liner. I was going to finish off the look with a dark lip but sometimes that can be too much maintenance for a night out, so I went with Avon Toasted Rose - a purple/mauve colour. A natural but chic make up look to celebrate the new year.

Do you have any new years eve plans?

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3...December(ish) Favourites.

I know this is a tad early for a December favourites but I had a few items that I wanted to share with you. The first being sleeveless jumpers, yes you're probably thinking 'what is the point in a sleeveless jumper?' paired with a long sleeved top underneath it makes the perfect combo. I love the look of them and they are super easy to throw on with leggings or jeans. The top two are from Primark but my favourite one, which is in the wash, is from H&M. The other fashion item I have been loving is my grey blanket scarf. Again it is from Primark and it was only £7! I am loving Primark at the minute... I always prefer their A/W things to their S/S collections. 

My last fave is this eye shadow duo. I bought the Mac Bronze from a beauty shop, which sells discounted Mac products. I loved the colour but when I applied it to the eye it just didn't settle and it felt sticky. I went back on the hunt for a copper eye shadow and came across Mac coppering when I was at the Trafford. I fell in love with the bright red/orange copper. When I applied them together it was the exact look I was going for and I have been wearing it ever since.

Those are my *very early* December favourites, what are yours?

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My Top 4 Blushers.

So, it is actually November now! Where has the time gone?! I hope everyone had a good Halloween and is now getting into the Christmas spirit (too early? I think not!). Today I thought I would yap on about my favourite blushers. I used to love the stuff in school (which was quite unfortunate as I constantly looked embarrassed/boiling hot) but then it was just like I had forgotten all about them. Recently I've been wanting to change up my basic everyday make up look, so I dived into my make-up box to rediscover my old blushes and these were my favourite 4.

Natural Collections Pink Cloud  was my love when I was at school. I went out and repurchased it a couple of weeks back and remembered how much I loved it. It gives the perfect pinky glow, and at £1.99 its a barg! Sticking with the pinky tones I am really liking Sleeks Rose Gold. If you're into sparkly blushes this is the one for you. It is a 'traditional' pink shade with golden flecks, its kinda like a blush and highlighter in one. You have to be really light handed with the Sleek blushers because they are super pigmented. On the other end of the Sleek spectrum is Flushed. I love this dark shade for the colder months as it gives a lovely rosey glow. Its matte too so if you're not into glittery blushers this would most likely be a winner. And finally is Clarins Soft Peach. This is called the illuminating blush and I think I would agree. It is almost like a highlight on me, probably because I am pale, but this is the one I have been reaching for the most lately!

Those are my top 4 blushers, what are yours?

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I got Tumblr! Well, I've had it for a while and just never used it aha, lets see if I stick to it this time!

DIY Zombie Bite.

At the weekend my sister bought some liquid latex, fake blood and face paints for her costume on Saturday (Halloween). Of course I was the one who was expected to do it for her, but I don't mind because I like doing things like that anyway. I wanted to have a practice before the actual day and this is what I come up with. This was my first go at a 'zombie bite' so it is not prefect and I am no special effects pro.

I used:

-Liquid latex

-Cotton wool

-Purple eye shadow

-Black eye shadow

-Green face paint

-White face paint

-Fake blood

-Foundation

-2 old brushed

Everything was purchased from Wilkos for like a £1 each and the eye shadows and brushes are just old ones.

So, first add some white paint onto the area you want the bite to be. Then using your finger dab on the purple eye shadow, then using a tissue dab on the green paint in small patches (use a light hand). Now you have the bruise we can move onto the bite itself. Paint on a layer of latex in a wide U shape and add the cotton wool, adding more latex ontop of that. Once you have the shape add little dints on the inside where the teeth would be. Then just repeat that on the other side.

Whilst that is drying you could add some more little veins using the green and purple. When that is dry add some foundation to give it a flesh colour, then add the purple and green on top so it looks bruised like the skin around it. Next, using the black eye shadow darken up the small teeth marks. Now we can move onto the fake blood adding it heavily to the teeth marks then brushing it out into the middle. Once that is complete its just a case of adding to it with blood, eye shadow and paint...layering is key!

 I probably haven't explained it very well but you can see what I mean from the pictures, its just all about trail and error really! I hope you enjoyed this DIY. What are you being for Halloween?!

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Autumn Lippies.

I thought seen as I have done my Autumn essentials I should just do a little Autumn series(yep, that's how much I love it). So today I am going to nag on about Autumn lippies.

Of course, you've got your berry lip which is just a must have! You can get dark lipsticks everywhere now a days but I still always reach for my good old Astor shade. I have had this for sooo long now, which is a bit minging, but I cannot part with it. 
When I want something that is a bit more of a nude shade I go to my trusty Soap & Glory lippy in the shade Blush pink (matte). It is more of a purple/pinky shade but it matches my natural lip colour pretty well. Keeping on the Soap & Glory theme I also love the shade Pom Pom, which is like a darkish berry/pink. I got this a while back when Beauty Crush mentioned it in one of her videos.
 To top my Autumnal collection off I thought that I should add a brown. I don't have a clue where I got this one from as the packaging has worn but I do know that it is in the shade Fiction. It is a brown colour with purple under tones.

These are my go to lipsticks for this season, what are yours?

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My Autumn Essentials.

Autumn is hereee! It's my favourite season ever. All of the leaves are turning orange & falling, the mornings are frosty, Halloween is close (yaaas) AND the jumpers are making an appearance once again, woo! I am not a summer gal at all, I enjoy it for a week or so then I just miss wrapping up in baggy clothes and thick blanket scarves. 
So, as Autumn will be in full swing soon enough I thought I would put together some Autumn fashion essentials.

Scarves
Blanket scarves are the way to go when it's a bit chilly outside. I also think scarves are a good way to add a bit of colour into the outfit if you're more of a basic outfit gal.

The Coat
Everybody needs a good statement coat. Not just a parka that you can throw on when it's blowing gales and raining, which is 90% of the time, but a classic statement piece. This year I have gone for a trench coat kinda thing. I love the length, fit, colour, shape, basically everything about it!

Jumpers
It's just common sense to wear a jumper when it's cold innet? The kind with the chunky roll necks that hit just above the knees are the way forward. Or just a simple round neck if you're not into the whole 'stiff neck' look.

Mustard
Mustard is going to be my favourite colour for Autumn. I bought a new mustard jumper a couple of days ago and I feel like the colour suits my skin tone (pale, ha). I know it's a love or a hate colour but it just screams Autumn, you can't deny it.

Dark Lips
Dark lips, what else is there to say? I reckon that dark lipsticks are one of the first things we reach for when Autumn comes around.

Boots

Obvs the boots will be coming out, you can't really wear sandals if it's freezing out side can ya... well you can but it's not very smart. I will always stick to a classic chelsea boot, but the docs do make an appearance now and again.

I could probably go on forever but I think I'll stop there. Let me know your Autumn must haves! Also, sorry for saying the word Autumn a lot. I said it so much that it started to sound weird and I couldn't spell it properly, haa. 

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