Everyday Makeup Routine

Everyday Makeup Routine

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One of the most iconic beauty blogger/vlogger posts is the EVERYDAY MAKEUP ROUTINE. Although I've been blogging for almost 3 years now, I still haven't managed to upload my daily go-to makeup look. My makeup routine varies on a fairly regular basis - it changes from week to month. However, throughout March/April, this is the look I've been attached to and repetitively wearing whenever I'm leaving the house to do something. 

Generally, makeup makes me feel more comfortable and confident as a person so I completely acknowledge that this may be too much makeup for some to wear daily. In other cases, it may not be as much as others. If you wish to follow my makeup routine but change some products or tone things down depending on your personal preferences. 

Here it is...the long awaited everyday makeup routine..

EYES

On most occasions, I tend to begin my routine with my eye makeup; this is mainly because I cannot stand 'fallout' and I don't feel so much pressure with eyeliner application. Sometimes, I like to use tape when applying eyeshadow and liner to create a clean, sharp cut. 

Recently, I've been loving the Too faced Chocolate Bar palette - my look involves the shades 'Milk Chocolate' and 'Semi-Sweet'. I apply both brown shades into the crease and blend, blend, blend! This create a soft, contoured eye look, which helps bolden and intensify my small eyes. The eyeliner I'm currently using is the L'Oreal Superstar Super Liner - the strong nibbed applicator ensures precision is at its best whilst also holding an incredible black pigment. Also, I use a Model's Own black liner in my waterline for extra definition. Finally, the mascara I've been loving this month is Rimmel's Super Curler 24HR. I don't think I've ever found a drugstore mascara that doesn't smear under my eyes after several hours after application until I met this. So affordable too!

FACE

Following on my eye makeup comes my complexion. For my base, I've been reaching for L'Oreal's Infaillible 16HR wear foundation. This is super concealing, helps to hide and even out my blotchy red skin and lasts all day long without sticking to dry patches. Then is my tricky task of covering up my horrific under eye circles - L'Oreal's Lumi Magique works wonders for my under eye darkness. It manages to conceal, and primarily highlight, any dull areas on the face. 

Now my favourite part - contour, blush and highlight. To contour or bronze my face up, whichever I'm feeling, I always carry my trusty Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess which I've been raving about forever! The warm-toned powder and formula works well on my skin; complimenting my cool skin and making blending a dream. Blush can potentially bring out my natural red complexion so I sometimes avoid wearing it. However, I have found that MAC's Melba is a super natural, toned-down peach which works well for me. Finally, I've been using MAC Soft and Gentle MSF or The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer to add that beautiful glow to the cheekbones and eyebrow bone.

LIPS 

Keeping it natural for that everyday appropriate look, I have a collection of lipsticks I usually carry in my makeup bag. In the images above, I've used MAC Mehr on my lips - a soft, mauve pink. Also, I recommend Charlotte Tilbury Bond Girl or Chanel Satisfaction for those highend lovers. Alternatively, highstreet lovers can opt for Essence's Natural Beauty lipstick or Soap and Glory Glossy Crayon's in Nudist.

Do you use the same products on a daily basis? What is your go-to lipstick?

Lots of love

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This post is not in collaboration with any brands listed above. 

Winter to Spring Makeup Transition

Winter to Spring Makeup Transition

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When a new season comes around, it is absolutely vital that I alter my makeup bag to fit the appropriate weather/theme. In Spring, I can't help reaching for all my favourite pastels, pinks and shimmers. Here is what you are most likely to find in my makeup as we change from Winter to Spring...

Although I'm a sucker for full coverage foundation, I can't help opting for this incredible BB cream from Garnier. This leaves my face feeling light, even and fresh - the smell is an added bonus, it reminds me of being on holiday!! The lightest shade matches my skin colour perfectly too; I always seem to be paler than pale after undergoing the cold Winter. 

When it comes to complexion, I'm not one to go for intense contour and excessive highlight in the Spring, unless I'm going out in the evening of course. To create a more subtle bronze/contour, I use L'Oreal's Glam Bronze Eau De Soleil for slightly definition. The formulation is very liquid-y and can be messy, so be careful otherwise it will go everywhere - TRUST ME!!!

Jasper Rose by Bourjois is the one to go for if you like pink, rosy cheeks like myself. The powder formula is highly pigmented so you don't need to apply more than two strokes onto your cheek to create the desired effect.

Finally, face-wise, I'm into dewy highlight; Rimmel Wake Me Up Shimmer Touch in Flush of Pearl is supposedly a great dupe for Benefit's well-loved High Beam. The liquid formula forms a dewy, iridescent glow on the cheek bones which instantly draws sunlight. 

During this time of year, all of my pink-based eye shadow palettes come out the drawer and become much more utilised. Recently, I've been loving my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette as it contains both winter/spring appropriate shades to take me from one season into the next. My fave shades definitely have to be Salted Caramel, Creme Brulee and Haute Chocolate.

 Also, I love to use my Bobbi Brown Pink Opal palette for a quick shimmer on the lid - this can add a glitz to your makeup if you don't have time to go create a whole eye look. This would also work as a beautiful, pink-toned highlight!

Finally, my Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP gives the perfect base for a Spring eye shadow look. I cannot stop using it throughout the season, whether I'm wearing eye products over the top or not!

Leaving the best till last...LIPS! Pink seems to be a running theme in my posts whenever Spring hits us... Anyway, Mac's lustre finish lipstick in Lovelorn is essential in my makeup bag throughout this time of year. Pink lips are so feminine and really lighten my complexion; this blue-toned pink also makes your teeth look insanely white.

In the warmer months, I like to delve into my lipgloss collection - I have such lovely shades but am always hesitant to use them in the Winter, as the wind just blows my hair onto my lips and it is a NIGHTMARE. Urban Decay's beautifully encased LIAR lipgloss is part of the infamous NAKED collection - the colour is less dramatic than the lipstick so would work for those who are tentative at wearing vibrant colours.

Don't forget to check out my Winter to Spring Fashion outfits post! 

What products do you always reach for at this time of year? What is your go-to Spring lipstick?!

Lots of love

The Best of Drugstore Beauty

The Best of Drugstore Beauty

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Drugstore products are a huge love in the beauty world - who doesn't love picking up a dupe for the latest high end craze for more than half the price? Over the years of testing and trying many a drugstore product, I have collated a list of my favourite picks from the high street...

FACE

BB Cream : Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector

I always become a fan of light coverage products in the Summer as heavy makeup is a no-go for me in the warmer months. The formula is light and fresh on the face, creating a beautiful dewy look to uplift my dull,dry skin. This product balances out my red complexion and gives a glowing effect. I love how this works with my skin - the smell is heavenly too!!

Foundation : L'Oreal Infallible 24H 

My drugstore foundation go-to alters on a regular basis so you will probably see this for a couple months and something better will arise - I will be sure to let you all know. Anyway, this foundation is currently a saviour in my daily routine; giving me my desired sleek, full coverage winter face and not drying out my skin throughout the wear period. A wonderful addition to my makeup collection.

Concealer : Rimmel Wake Me Up 

Concealer is another area I like to change ever few months just to try something different. However, I always seem to come back to Rimmel. This concealer just has something that brightens, conceals and hides my horrendous under eye bags/blemishes the best. I couldn't recommend this inexpensive product enough!

Powder : Rimmel Stay Matte

A cult favourite. Unless you've been living under a rock your entire beauty life, you will have heard hundred and thousands of people talk about this so I won't bore you to death with the same repetitive comments. Just a powder that compares closely with most high end ones - great for achieving a flawless matte complexion.

Blush : E.L.F Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky

One of my favourite drugstore blushes has to be one of E.L.F's stunningly formed baked blushes. The formula is incredibly pigmented with glimpses of peach, pink and glitter sparkling on the apples of your cheek. This is a definite product you need to get your hands on this spring/summer!

Bronzer : Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick

I always tend to purchase high end bronze/contour products as they are the only formulas that seem to work for me. All but this drugstore bronzer have left my cheekbones is a muddy, flaky mess! This shimmer brick has been compared to the infamous Bobbi Brown ones, with multiple glimmering bronze/copper shades perfect for warming/defining those cheeks. 

Highlight : Rimmel Wake Me Up 001 Flush of Pearl

My favourite highlight from the drugstore is this liquid formulated beauty from Rimmel, again. Rimmel seem to have some of the best facial products within the drugstore - shoutout to Rimmel!! These different colored highlights are suited for all skin tones and add a pop of sparkle to the tops of your cheeks and under the brow bone.

EYES

Brows : Beauty UK High Brow Definition Kit

Many people often dimiss Beauty UK, even myself if I'm honest, as I just don't hear anyone talk about their products much/at all. After being given the brow set from a friend, I gave it a try and honestly used it for an entire year. There is a powder, wax, setting powder and black shadow shade in the palette, along with a angled brush applicator. Hands down the best brow product from the drugstore....EVER.

Mascara : Revlon Lash Potion 

Lengthening and giving my lashes heaps of volume are something a mascara has to obtain to win me over completely. This mascara exceeds my expectations immaculately; I would completely compare it to my beloved Smashbox Full Exposure mascara, which is my favourite mascara of all time. It just does my eyelashes wonders without the horrible clumping effect mascaras can sometimes create.

Eyeliner : Rimmel Exaggerate

Eyeliners are always a hit or miss for me; I either 100% rate them or absolutely hate them. Rimmel Exaggerate has a fairly sturdy, nifty nib to create thin, winged liner looks. The liquid formula can sometimes get messy but the opaque, black finish is something you cannot miss out on.

Cream Shadow : Maybelline Color Tattoos

Another huge favourite in the beauty world are the Maybelline Color Tattoos; my favourite shade being 'On and On Bronze'. This sparkling copper eyeshadow base works a treat as a primer, lasting the entire day without any creasing on the lid. Also a fab product if you're in a rush and want to add some quick colour to your lid. 

Eyeshadow Sticks : Kiko and Rimmel Scandal Eyes

Super travel-friendly eye products are the ever growing ranges of shadow sticks drugstore brands are bringing out. I cannot stop raving about the pigmentation of the Kiko and Rimmel shadow sticks; the color payoff is exactly what you see in the tube and the lasting power is as equally impressive.

LIPS

Lip Crayons : Revlon Colorburst in Elusive and Standout

There are only a few drugstore lipsticks that I find moderately okay - they never seem to do me any favours. 1. They dry out my lips. 2. They are usually matte and sink into my lip lines. 3. The formulas are usually horrendous and they last for abuot 10 minutes. Due to my bad experience with drugstore lippies, I can only turn to lip crayons. Revlon have a fab range of matte and glossy crayons to hydrate your lips, making them feel/look gorgeous. Elusive is a pretty, natural pink whereas Stand Out is a bold, striking and deep red shade.

Liquid Lipstick : Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Parisian Passion and Rio Rush

Revlon have it in the bag from lip products. They also have these liquid lippies, which I must say have very mixed opinions, but nonetheless I absolutely adore these. The deep purple, Parisian Passion, is my favourite and complements Mac's Rebel a treat. I love glossy, non-sticky feeling it has on my lips, as well as a bold colour finish. 

PALETTES

Blush Palette : Makeup Revolution

Makeup Revolution have some incredibly cheap but good quality blush palettes. Some of the shades may seem slightly chalky but with a little bit of blending they create a pretty flush in no time. I love this palette as it holds the exact array of summer shades you could wish for. It also had two shimmer shades at the end, one being a fabulous cool-toned highlighter.

Eyeshadow Palette : Sleek Au Naturel

Sleek are definitely the best place to purchase drugstore shadow palettes. They have an insane amount of different palettes to chose from, covering absolutely anyone's taste. My favourite is the Au Naturel palette because it has gorgeous cool-toned, dark shades for the Winter months just passed. I will be planning to pick up a more summer-themed palette from Sleek for the upcoming seasons. Does anyone have any recommendations?

What are your favourite drugstore products? Have you found any dupes for your high end faves?!

Lots of love

5 Beauty Products You Need This A/W

5 Beauty Products You Need This A/W

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If you are living in the northern hemisphere, you will know that it is time to hide away those vibrant corals and replace them with those ravising reds and berries. 

Welcome to Autumn everyone! Autumn is my favourite time of year due to so many reasons: the nights get darker (not great for taking photos with the poor lighting - but I love it!), the temperature becomes cooler, the knitted jumpers come out along with all the gorgeous autumnal colours. I'm a huge fan of all the autumn trends both in the fashion and makeup industry; so today, I would like to cover my top 5 things I love and you NEED this A/W on the beauty side of things.

During the cooler months, my skin always thinks it would be funnier to go VERY dry and make my makeup cling to patches on my face - FAB!!! To try and avoid this in 2015, I've prepared myself by keeping my moisturizers, primers and radiant illuminating creams at the ready. Garnier and Simple do some great skin goodies for an affordable price!

Another way I like to stay radiant and glowing is using golden toned highlighters. I feel these work best in the winter months as it brightens paler skin. These two high end must-haves are probably the most talked about highlighter and I completely understand why so many people talk about them. Even better, these two products work incredibly together; layer MAC's soft and gentle over Benefit's Watts Up and you're good to go!

Warm, plum blush shades are what you need this Autumn/Winter. They compliment golden highlight and deepen the cheek colour to make you have a flawless complexion. I'm not usually a fan of loose powder products but this E.L.F Blusher in PLUM really does me wonders at this time of year.

Eyeshadows are my favourite to change up seasonally, especially when Autumn comes around. Taupes, maroons, cranberries, coppers and golden glitters are the colours to go for - they correspond to the traditional autumnal shades and look great both daily and nightly. I absolutely love taupe and cranberry colours in the crease of my eye; they help to contour the lid so much and create the prettiest effect. Also, I adore wearing golden glitters on the eyelid too because of how simple is it to create.

Finally, the moment you've all been waiting for - my favourite berry red lips for this Autumn/Winter. Want a matte finish? Go for Rimmel's Kate Moss lipstick in 107 or the Nars Audacious lipstick in the shade Charlotte! If you're looking for a more satin finish then you definitely want to opt for Mac's Rebel or Makeup Up Revolution's Rebel With Cause - how ironic that they have similar shade names?! Lastly, if you're a glossy type of gal, I totally recommend visiting Revlon and picking up Parisian Passion from their Lacquer range. 

What are your must-have beauty products for A/W?!

Lots of love