Simple Summer Make Up

Whilst I love creating different summer looks, there's nothing worse than the feel of heavy make-up on a warm day.. Especially after spending so long creating the look, only for it to melt off in seconds.

So whilst recently on holiday in Spain, I took full advantage of my time in the sun to find the best combination of products to create a "simple summer look" to combat shininess & uneven skin-tone without leaving skin feeling "cakey".

Moisturiser - Nip + Fab Kale Fix - [x]
BB Creme - Rimmel Matte Beauty Balm - [x]
Setting Powder - Max Factor Loose Translucent Powder - [x]
Bronzer - Sleek Contouring & Blush Palette - [x]
Highlighter - Makeup Revolution Baked Highlighter - [x]

Mascara - Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara - [x]
Brows - Soap & Glory Archery Pencil & Brush - [x]

What are your go to summer make-up products?
I'd love to know in the comments

xxx

Make-up Revolution - Lip Lacquer Liquid Lipstick

With both high-end and high-street brands jumping on the bandwagon, liquid lipstick are a craze that has taken the beauty world by storm. However with many different products available it can be a little daunting trying to decide which would be the best to try out.

As a huge fan of Make-up Revolution's lipsticks, I decided that a good place dip my toes in the world of liquid lipsticks could the brand's collection of Lip Lacquers. So - after what felt like a lifetime of comparing different shades - my love for all things berry-toned finally won & I walked away with a purple shade known as Rebel.

After purchasing this product, one of the first things I noticed was a promise that it would provide "intense colour pay off" as well as being both "touch proof" & "long wearing" - a very bold claim to come from any brand.

The first thing I noticed had to be the colour pay off - which I'm happy to say that really can't be faulted. As you can see from the swatch above, the deep purple shade is gorgeous & looks the exact same when applied as it does in the packaging (always a bonus!). However I wasn't quite as impressed when it came to lasting power. After application my lips were left feeling quite sticky as the product dried from liquid to matte (although admittedly this does disappear once dry). I also noticed that after eating & drinking the lipstick did begin to face/crack a little - probably due to the matte finish.

After multiple applications, I found that these problems are avoidable (try applying a small amount of product at a time with a finger & slowly building it up to create a stain & avoid the sticky-ness) however if you're looking for a simple/fuss free product, this may be a little too much hassle.

Retailing at only £3.00 this the Lip Lacquer is budget-friendly & in my opinion is a good product to buy as a test to see if Liquid Lipsticks will fit in with your beauty routine before splashing out the pricier alternatives.

Have you tried any of Make-up Revolution's Lip Lacquer's?
What are your thoughts on liquid lipsticks?
I'd love to know! 

xxx

Simple Spring Make-up

Anyone in the UK will know that warm weather is not something we experience all to often. However now the sun seems to finally made a slight appearance, I'm very excited to dust of my Spring make-up & start creating a few lighter/brighter looks.

Below is a something I put together before heading off for a pub lunch - very stereotypically British, I know - & as it's my first real spring make-up look of 2016 I thought I'd share it here.

For the base of my make-up I decided to go with Rimmel's BB Cream. I love this as an alternative to foundation as it offers good coverage without feeling to heavy on the skin - perfect for the warmer weather. As foundation (or BB Creams) rarely cover all imperfections I opted for Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer - a cult favourite within the beauty world - to cover any remaining blemishes/red marks. I then dusted a light layer of Max Factors Translucent Setting Powder. A loose powder that feels beautifully lightweight on the skin & is a great way to set make-up without leaving the skin feeling at all cakey. 

When it came to bronzer, I decided to opt for Rimmel's Natural Bronzer. A natural looking bronzer that is perfect for adding a little warmth back to my face again. I then complimented this by using Make-up Revolution's Baked Highlighter "Golden Lights". Not only does the slight shimmer in this product make it perfect for highlighting those cheekbones, it also looks gorgeous when the light bounces off of it. The third & final product I used on my skin was a peach-tones blush from Make-up Revolution called Treat. This is a pretty peach-toned blush that creates just the right glow (although this doesn't seem to show too well in photos..oops). 

For brows I opted for a much-loved product of mine - Soap & Glory's Archery. Not only is the tiny-tapered pencil perfect for a creating fine/hair-like strokes, the attached spoolie is also great for blending any excess product (click here to read a full review). To set this I then used Rimmel's Brow This Way in clear - a styling gel designed to keep any unruly hairs in place throughout the day. 

Next - came mascara. Something I wanted to keep relativity natural & therefore opted for Benefit's They're Real Tinted Primer. Although designed to be used underneath the They're Real Mascara, I find this to be a perfect product for a daytime look as it adds length & definition without being too dramatic. 

The last product I used to create this look was an Estee Lauder Lipstick in the shade Wildly Pink A gorgeous shade with a creamy formulae that can either be used lightly to create a subtle pink colour (similar to above) or built up for a more dramatic, statement look. (Side note - the packaging in the link seems to have changed but the shade is still the same). 

I personally love this look & the products used as I find it looks like I've made an effort without feeling to heavy on the skin. Perfect for the warmer Spring months. 

What are your favourite make-up products

to use during Spring? 

xxx

Lipsticks | Winter Favourites

Lipstick is a product that I find myself reaching for on an almost daily basis... so now the colder weather is here & the autumn/winter clothes have been dragged from the back of the wardrobe, I've started to notice a slight pattern in my make-up routine. It seems that I have been repeatedly reaching for a mixture of the same four "autumnal" shades that have quickly become my currently favourite winter lipsticks.

Lipstick from Left to Right: Amethyst Shimmer, Rebel with a cause,
Kate Moss 01, Smitten

Model Co - Smitten

Whilst only a recent addition to my lipstick collection - I was lucky enough to receive Smitten within my December Birchbox - I've found this has quickly become one of my favourites. Not only is this lipstick both moisturising & long lasting, the deep tone of this lipstick offers a great twist to the classic statement red lip.

Rimmel Kate Moss - 01

Rimmel lipsticks will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to high-street beauty -  so I knew instantly that I would love the Kate Moss collection. Shade 01 highly pigmented & moisturising lipstick that works instantly to add a touch of glamour to any look. I personally love to pair this lipstick with a black outfit & other-wise neutral make-up - think Little Black Dress at the Christmas party. 

Make up Revolution - Rebel with a cause

For those of you who don't know, I love the lipsticks from Make-up Revolution. Not only are they extremely budget friendly (retailing at only £1) they're also amazing quality. "Rebel with a cause" is a deep purple shade that is perfect if - like me - you love to experiment with a slightly darker/vampy look throughout the winter. *Bonus* The little colour pot secured to the end of the product pops off to become a perfectly matching lip-liner.

Rimmel - Amethyst Shimmer

Unlike the previous products mentioned in this post, Amethyst Shimmer is the perfect alternative to a statement lip. With subtle pink/purple undertones & a gorgeous sheen, this lipstick offers a slight "your lips but better" & works perfectly a dramatic or smokey-eye. I personally love to wear this as an every-day lipstick to add a touch of glamour to my look. 

Of course there are many lipsticks within my collection that I love, - *unashamed lipstick addict over here* -  but these are the four I've found myself using most regularly. If you've tried any of the above products - or have any favourite winter lipsticks of your own - please let me know in the comments! 

xxx

Autumnal Make-up

If you read my recent Autumn Wishlist post, you'll know that I am very excited for Autumn this year.. In fact, I'm now so ready for Autumn that I've even found myself a little annoyed by the warmer weather we've been having here in the UK..  *You had your chance Summer.. now it's time for the cold!*. 

So before heading off on a recent shopping trip, I couldn't resist the opportunity to fully indulge in my latest love & go for a full Autumn make-up look (& write a post all about it too.. of course).

Add a floppy hat for extra autumnal feelings

What I'm Wearing: 

Foundation - MAC Studio Sculpt [x]

Under-eye Concealer - Rimmel Wake Me Up [x]

Blemish Concealer - Collection Lasting Perfection [x]

Setting Powder - Rimmel Stay Matte [x]

Bronzer - Rimmel Natural Bronzer [x]

Mascara - Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express  [x]

Eye-Brows - Soap & Glory Archery [x]

Lipstick - Make-up Revolution "Rebel With A Cause" [x]

(I couldn't find the exact shade, so have linked one similar)

In my opinion nothing screams Autumn/Winter make-up more than a dark lip.. whether it be a deep red, purple or brown. One of my current favourites when wearing a dark lip has to be this deep purple shade from Make-up Revolution. Plus  - at the bargain price of £1.00 - they're the perfect product for experimenting with different shades.

I can't wait for the chillier weather to make an appearance again so I can complete this look by teaming it with cosy jumpers & oversized scarves.

If you have any autumn/winter make-up staples, let me know in the comments.
I'm always looking for an excuse to try new products.
xxx

Weekend Getaway: Make-up Essentials

If there's one thing I'm awful at, it's packing lightly. Even if I'm popping away over night, I will always be the one who brings a tonne of items that simply aren't needed *Yes, it's spa break.. but I'd really better pack my trainers.. just to be on the safe side...*. 

Unfortunately I also struggle to pack lightly when it comes to my make-up bag.. How can anyone be expected to decide in advance which lipsticks to wear or which foundation will be best?

However after a few weekend trips visiting family/friends (& finally realising that I just cannot carry the majority of make-up at all times) I've finally managed to narrow down my choices to - what I think - are the essentials for a few days away.

Moisturiser:

Olay Essentials Complete Care Day Fluid [x]
Base:

Rimmel Lasting Perfection 25 Hour Nude Foundation [x]

Real Techniques Stippling Brush [x]

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer [x]

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [x]

New Look Kabuki Brush [x]

Bronzer: 

Rimmel Natural Bronzer [x]

Front Cover Cheek Brush [x]

(I can't seem to find this brush online so have linked one similar)

Mascara: 

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara [x]

Eyebrows: 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil [x]

Lips: 

The Body Shop - Born Lippy Lip Balm [x]

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick in shade 08 [x]

Make-up Revolution Lipstick in shade "Rebel With Cause" [x]

As you can see, I've kept the main base of my choices pretty neutral. This way the products - such as foundation, mascara & bronzer - can easily be used for both day & evening looks. I've also included one neutral day-time lipstick (Rimmel & Kate Moss in shade 08) along with Make-up Revolution's "Rebel With Cause - a deep purple shade - to add a little extra something for any evenings out. 

Obviously if I was going away for longer than a few days I'd include more items - a red/pink lipstick & an eye-shadow pallet for example - but I find this to be the perfect combination of products for a few days away.

What are your make-up essentials for a few days away?

Make up Revolution: The One Blush Stick

I had my eye on the Multiple Stick from NARS for a while now.. it's absolutely beautiful, but I couldn't decide if parting with the £30.00 price mark was the best way to go only to be disappointed & ultimately out of pocket... or worse, discovering that there's a cheaper dupe out there somewhere.. *shudders a little at the thought*.

So when I stumbled across Make-up Revolutions "The One Blush Stick" I couldn't resist adding it to  my basket. As you can see from the photos below the two products do seem very similar. Obvious similarities include; the packaging, shade name "Malibu" and how each are described as multi-purpose across both cheeks and lips (the NARS version does also boast that it can be used on eyes).. Although personally I can only really imagine using this as a bronzer for contouring.

Source 

Now I can't really say whether this is a dupe - although it does appear that way - as I haven't actually tried the NARS Multiple Stick *sobs a little*. So I couldn't in anyway make a fair comparison.

When I purchased Make-up Revolution's The One Blush Stick, it's safe to say that I definitely didn't allow myself to get my hopes up.. Sure I wanted it to be the answer to all my contouring dreams & secretly hoped it would sculpt my cheekbones so they'd pass an inspection from Kim K herself.. but I knew this probably wasn't going to happen. But - *dramatic drum roll* -  I have actually been very pleasantly surprised.

Key factors:

• Blending - I use my Real Techniques Stippling blush with this product & was pleasantly surprised just how effortlessly it  blends into my skin.
• Colour pay off - Another element that didn't disappoint.. a little goes a long way but if you're after a slightly heavier look the product is easily build-able.. or if you wanted a subtle look, you can mix the product with a little water to tone it down.
• Price - £5.00 - Bargain.. what more can I say?
• Shade - As mentioned earlier I have the shade "Malibu", which I can only describe as a sheer brown with a slight rosey tint/undertone which I find this to be perfect for my skin tone.. 

After trying this product as a bronzer I can safely say I'm tempted to try out one of the different shades & seeing how they work as a blusher.. 

Have you ever tried Make-up Revolutions Blush Stick?

Or maybe the NARS Multiple Stick?

Let me know your thoughts..

- Side note - I was going to add a photo of this product on, but it was one of those days where my face just didn't want to cooperate with the camera *sigh*  - 

xxx

Makeup Revolution Lipstick - Review

After a particularly stressful end to a recent week at work I decided I really did deserve a little treat. In a bid to not be tempted into sweet-tasting treats *the flat stomach will thank me later* I found myself browsing the make-up counters in Superdrug.

As I've mentioned in a few of my recent posts, Make-up Revolution is a a brand that  has definitey caught my eye. In my opinion the items are of great quality at very affordable prices. This is perfect for experimenting with new products & styles.

I've been wanting to expand my lipstick collection for a while now.. So after browsing the Make-up Revolution counter I stumbled across the gorgeous dark purple "Rebel With A Cause" from the brand's Vamp Collection. (I know, I know.. Heading into summer it's all about the bright colours. However there's just something about a dark lip that I love for a night-time look.)

A little summary:

• Packaging: This product may not be as glamorous to look at as other lipsticks available but it does offer a simple & clean packaging with rose-gold detailed lettering. Plus I love that you can easily see the shade through the plastic cap. 
• Finish/Colour Pay Off: When I first tried this lipstick I applied it over a lip balm & found that it really neutralised the colour.. However when applying it directly to my lips the result was the dark & vampy look I was after. 
• Price: This retails for an extremely affordable £1. Perfect for all budgets & for when you need a little, inexpensive treat.
• Formulation: If you've read any of my previous lipstick reviews, you'll know that drying lip products are a pet peeve of mine.. however luckily this lipstick has a beautifully creamy formulation, leaving lips feeling happy & moisturised. 
• Added Bonus: That "plastic cap" I mentioned earlier.. not only does it conveniently show which shade of lipstick is inside.. oh no.. it also pops off to reveal a mini pot of same-coloured product. This is perfect for use a lip liner when paired with a small lip-lining brush. 

In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with this product & I'm sure I'll be treating myself to more lipsticks from Make-up revolution soon. 

Have you ever tried lipstick from Make-up Revolution?

What are your thoughts?

xxx

Accidental Beauty Haul

Over the last week or so I seem to have accidentally treated myself to a few new beauty items..  I've been trying to justify this to myself and say that I really needed to purchase these for blog content (does anyone else do this?).. but in reality I simply gave in to that little voice in brain that was repeatedly telling me how much I needed each of these products..

I wouldn't in anyway say I've gone crazy as everything I purchased came from affordable high-street brands - Rimmel, Make-up Revolution & MUA - plus I've had my eye on a few of these products for a while now... so really, I like to think of this as more of an investment.

Products:

1) Make-up Revolution "Unicorn's Unite" Palette - £6.00 [x]

2) Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Nude Foundation - £7.99 [x]

3) Make-up Revolution Mini Brush Set - £4.95 [x]

4) MUA Pro-brow Eyebrow Kit - £3.50 [x]

5) Make-up Revolution "Blush Stick" - £5.00 [x]

If you read my recent wishlist post, you'd have seen that I've had my eye on a few items from Make-up revolution for a while now.. & although only one of these items was actually featured on the list (the mini-brush set) there were other items that had been sat in my online basket for sometime. I've also had my eye on some very similar high-end versions of the above items (such as "The Multiple" Stick from NARS) & just could resist giving these cheaper versions a try.. What beauty lover doesn't live in the hope of finding a great dupe?!

I'm so excited to try each of these products & put together some more blog posts with my thoughts. 

Have you tried any of these products?

If so, what are your thoughts?

xxx

Makeup Revolution Wishlist

Make-up Revolution is a brand that's received a lot of hype recently & it's easy to see why with so many gorgeous products on offer at such affordable prices.

I have a few lipsticks from the range and seem to have *accidentally* placed a fair few products in my basket on the make-up revolution website.

1. Mini Brush Set - £4.95 [x]

2. Blushing Hearts Blush - £4.99 [x]

3. Lipstick shade"Amazing Bliss" - £1.00 [x]

4. Lipstick shade "Atomic" - £1.00 [x]

5. Ultra Eye shadow Palette - £8.00 [x]

6.  "Focus & Fit" Eye brow kit - £2.50 [x]

These are just a few of the products that have caught my eye recently. My favourites include; the Mini Brush Set - perfect for keeping in your handbag for touch-ups or for travelling, the Blushing Hearts Blusher - the packaging and colours are so pretty - & the "Amazing Bliss" lipstick - a perfect shade for the spring/summer months. 

Have you tried any products from the Makeup Revolution range?

Which products are your favourite?

xxx