Pastel Lips! | FlashMob Cosmetics

Pastel Lips! | FlashMob Cosmetics

Comment   

January always seems to come and go sooooo quickly every year. Thus, Spring is swiftly approaching, meaning  a complete change in your makeup bag is due - swapping out all of berry lips for something to match the brighter, warmer atmosphere. 

FlashMob Cosmetics have kindly collaborated with me to share with you their vibrant lip-smacking products to get you all in the Spring spirit! Like most girly-girls, I'm a huge fan of the pastels during Springtime and Flashmob have created the perfect lipsticks to make your lips fit right into the season. These are such an awesome Easter gift for those who ask for gifts rather than chocolate or a birthday gift for younger girls.

Colours in the Electric Kisses Set:

Orange - A vibrant peach/coral 

Dark Pink - An intense barbie pink with heavy blue undertones

Lilac - A pretty, light purple shade with a frosty sheen

Light Pink - A subtle pink lip with slight pigmentation

The thin, slick and 'flashy' packaging makes these lippies appeal to the younger generations; their comic-styled font and images evoke instant attention. Also, the brightly colour-coordinated tubes match their complementary lip colour - for extra satisfication (this is something I am definitely drawn to). The infamous # has also been used to create a modern essense and appeal further to younger audiences.

Finally, here are some swatches of the colours mentioned above! The pigmentation of the orange and dark pink were much more intense than the other two but still fabulous, nonetheless. One factor that made me particularly impressed was the light, weightless feel on the lips after application - sometimes the feeling of lipstick is very heavy and irritating so this was refreshing and different for me. A slight flaw I found after applying the orange colour, was that the colour sank into all of the creases in my lips. However, it might just be my chapped, gross lips - who knows?!

FlashMob Cosmetics are affordable gifts that can be found at stores like Markwins Beauty and Argos.

Lots of love

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This post was in collaboration with FlashMob Cosmetics, however all opinions are honest and my own.

The Best Drugstore Full Coverage Foundation

The Best Drugstore Full Coverage Foundation

Comment   

If you know me, you'll know my undeniable love for a full coverage face - especially in the Winter! I just love having a 'perfect' complexion; although my skin rarely has spots, it is very discoloured and my overly red cheeks aren't at all appealing if I do say so myself. To solve this issue, I am constantly purchasing foundations that I hear are great to form an airbrushed, smooth base and this time I found one from the drugstore - a definite rarity!!!

In my time of trying out drugstore bases, I have never turned to Revlon. I have absolutely no idea why I didn't, as I luuurve Revlon eye and lip products! Anyway, I've seen numerous people rave about this foundation over the past few months so I thought I'd give it a go...

The Revlon Colorstay foundations are available in an array of colours and formulations, suitable for every skin type. I opted for combination/dry because I mainly suffer with dry patches in the Winter, however my T-zone remains oily all year round...great! This formulation works effectively on my skin, giving my complexion a warm, winter glow. When it comes to application, I either use a damp beauty blender or the dense-bristled base brush to blend into the skin. Due to the formulation being extremely smooth, it makes blending a dream.

A full coverage is achieved with two thin, even layers - this hides any blemishes and corrects any discoloration. On an average day, this base lasts for 10 hours before slipping off the face (without powder) and roughly 12-14 with powder keeping it in place; therefore does not match the claim, for me, on lasting 24 hours. But who even wears foundation for 24 hours, eh?! The only other flaw I've faced with the Revlon Colorstay is that there isn't a pump so you have to pour the product out. This can be very impractical and get quite messy in my makeup bag.

Overall, I totally recommend this foundation to anyone who is lover, like me, of full coverage bases or those who like skin-specific foundations. Revlon are the one to visit!

What foundation are you wearing this Winter?

Lots of love

Charlotte x

Summer Blushin' // Collab w. Glitter Melody

Summer Blushin' // Collab w. Glitter Melody

Comment   

Today's post is yet another collab with the wonderful Hannah from Glitter Melody. Together, we have created a very summer-y based collab in which I share with you my favourite blushes this season and where Hannah informs you of her summer lip picks. Make sure to check out her post or head over to her social media accounts below:

Twitter

Bloglovin

Instagram

Facebook

Blushes have been my evergrowing addiction this summer; not only do I love my luxurious highend blushes, but I really adore my beautiful drugstore numbers. Today, I thought I'd focus on these bargainous beauties as they're all very afforable - all £10 and under! During the warmer months, I love wearing coral/peach toned colours on my cheeks to compliment the lighter makeup I tend to wear.

1. Sleek Blush by 3 Palette ~ Lace (RRP £10.00)

    My favourite drugstore blushes definitely have to be by Sleek. With complimentary sleek packaging, a fantastic range of seasonal appropriate shades and flattering trios, Sleek definitely get my vote for best blushes of all time. Lace is the one to go for if you're looking for a summer blush palette - the colours are perfect for this season as each are vibrant and hold warm undertones. 

2. Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher ~ Jasper Rose (RRP £7.99)

For those who are a fan of the rose-gold craze, I would definitely take a look at this one. Jasper rose is a pretty rose gold pink that looks gorgeous on the apples of your cheeks. The tiny golden flecks catch the sunlight really easily and enhance your complexion, making your look super healthy. If I'm spending the day in the sun and have little eye makeup on, I will always pop a dab of Jasper Rose on each cheek.

3. Rimmel Stay Blushed! ~ SunKissed Cherry (RRP £4.49)

A liquid formulated blusher is something I hadn't experimented with until the 2015. I'm a huge lover of powder blushes so never expected to love another formula, let alone this one. However, Rimmel's Stay Blushed blends like a dream when applied with a stippling brush. This one is on the orange/coral side of the spectrum - a glittery eye and nude lip makes an amazing combo with Sunkissed Cherry. 

4. E.L.F Baked Blush ~ Peachy Cheeky (RRP £3.75) 

Probably my most worn and most loved summer blush for the longest time - Peachy Cheeky by E.L.F. Baked blushes are one to go for if you want to get a lot for your money. They appear to last forever - I've owned this E.L.F Number for many summers now and it looks almost untouched. The various colours running through the peach basis makes it ever the more pretty in sunlight, just like the bourjois baked blush. 

5. MUA Blusher ~ BonBon (RRP £1.00)

Those who don't like spending a lot on makeup, head on over to the MUA counter in your local superdrug. They offer fab little makeup pieces for reasonable prices. Even though their standard/quality isn't as wonderful as other drugstore brands, they do a few things worth trying out. For instance, their blushes and lipsticks are products that particularly stand out for me. I loved the look of bonbon for summer, a muted pink for days you want your makeup to look slightly more lowkey and natural. The colour payoff is super pretty, just make sure to spend a while blending it in as the powdery formula can cause issues from time to time.

I hope you are all having a fabulous summer! What have you been up to? What are your favourite blushes to wear in the summer?

Don't forget to check out Hannah's favourite lipsticks :-)

Lots of love

Evening Makeup Look // Collab w. MollyIsabelSmith

Evening Makeup Look // Collab w. MollyIsabelSmith

Comment   

 

First off, I'd like to let you all know that today's post is part of a collab with Molly Smith from mollyisabelsmith.blogspot.co.uk. Alternatively, she has created a daytime and more natural look - the complete opposite of my intense eye makeup and bold lips. You can also find Molly on @mollyisabels on both twitter and instagram. It has been lovely working with her and I would be so grateful, as would she, if you went over to her blog and checked out her post.

Creating a bolder, intense makeup look is one of my ultimate past times; I love indulging in deeper lip colours and throwing dark shades onto my eyes. I just so happen to enter my own little bubble of serenity when I alter my makeup to something more dramatic than the regular day time face. Starting with the face, something I don't drastically transform, I opt for a full-coverage foundation (MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC15). This works well when faking a flawless complexion as well as lasting the entire evening, whether you be going out to a fancy restaurant or partying all night long, this foundation will stay put. The only other change in my face makeup is contouring. Personally, I like to contour my face A LOT when I'm wearing evening makeup. I apply my Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess in the hollows of my cheeks, my temples, under my jaw and sometimes on the tip of my nose; contouring is a great way to dramatise your makeup from day to night. In the look above, I also used Mac's Soft&Gentle to highlight, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer to eliminate appearance of under eye cirles/highlight my T-Zone and Mac's Fleur Power for a subtle hint of blush. 

The primary focal point of the look comes down to the eyes. Maybelline's Colour Tattoo in Eternal Gold was perfect for creating a base on the eyelid. This helps to avoid creasing and maintain the eyeshadow applied on top. Next, I turned to my trusty Naked 2 palette and applied SNAKEBITE through the crease until fully blended. If you aren't comfortable using black eyeshadow, then skip the next step - I decided to increase the intensity by defining my outer corner. This was easily done by adding the darkest, opaque shade in the Naked 2 palette - blackout. Little by little, I tapped this onto my outer corner and blended thoroughly to ensure no harsh lines were present. To finish the eye look, I added some golden liquid glitter from Essence and painted on some winged liner. My lashes were lengthened and volumized using Smashbox's mascara; I also went under my eye with snakebite to define my eye shape.

Deciding on a lip colour was the final challenge. Owning many a dark lip, it was a difficult decision but in the end I chose Maybelline's Colour Drama Lip Pencil in Berry Much. Rich purples look undeniably fabulous with dramatic eyes and definitely a go-to of mine. Also, I think a ruby red lip would look equally as gorgeous with this eye makeup - gold and red are a great combo!

Thank you for reading and don't forget to check out Molly's post!

Lots of love

Drugstore Dupes for those Highend Holy Grails

Drugstore Dupes for those Highend Holy Grails

Comment   

What could a beauty blog viewer love more than being introduced to a bargainous version of their fave product(s)/one they've been longing for for about 13 and a half years?! Take a wild guess at what I've got in store for you all today? I'm thrilled to announce that I'm back to beauty (finally!!!) - I've missed this too much. So...what other way can I make up my insane lack of makeup based content than a cheeky deal for you all to get your hands on - it's a good 'un! It get's better...I thought I really owed it to you so I've made sure to find a few dupes for some all time favourite highend beauty products.

Mac Studio Fix NC15 VS Bourjois 123 Perfect 51

In terms of colour, both in the bottle and on the face, these foundations are identical. They are both cool-toned, which is fabulous to counteract my blotchy red areas and are the closest matches to my skin colour I've ever found. When it comes to coverage, these are the ones I go to for that medium-full, flawless finish. Each dry to give a satin/matte finish, which you may think is strange considering I have dry skin. However, neither cling to dry matches or focus on any rough areas I may so have. The only problem is, the MAC one can become very cakey looking on the face so to avoid that, apply thin even coats on top of each other making sure to buff lightly into the skin. Onto lasting power now, I must say that if you like your makeup to last all night, I advise to pay that little bit extra and purchase the MAC option. This is because it last roughly 4 hours more than the drugstore one.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer VS NYX HD Photogenic Concealer

For those looking to eliminate dark circles, imperfections and redness, don't hesistate to carry on reading! Not only do these both give an insane full coverage (a fundamental feature in my case - when choosing a concealer to hide those dark, zombie undereyes) but they both glide effortlessly onto the skin without dragging or irritating my skin. I've found in the past that some concealer wants can be quite rough and make my eyes red/sore. The only difference I can state about these two is that the NARS one feels much more luxurious and fulfilling on the skin, the formula is heavenly and sinks perfectly in places you wish to be rid of and correct. Finally, both concealers have a great tendency to last the entire day without creasing - HUGE BONUS! Grab your hands on either of these if anything above ticked your concealer hunting list.

Benefit Rockateur VS Bourjois Jasper Rose

In the photos, we can see that there colours look slightly 'off' - Rockateur has minor peachy tones whereas Jasper Rose is just plain pink. Despite this colour mishap at first glance, when applied to the cheeks, I kid you not, they give off the same healthy, rosy glow. A little goes a long way; each product being so high on the pigmentation scale means only a sweep on the brush can give you your desired look. Anyone who is still unsure of splashing out £24 on a single blush, I suggest you go down to boots and get your hands on this before purchasing. 

Benefit They're Real VS Collection Lenthening Mascara

The couple claiming to both lengthen and define are neck and neck. Using Collection's mascara sincerely surprised me - I was not expecting it to match that of Benefit's infamous They're Real. With alike wands, the formula is applied in the exact same way. Bottom lash application is also simple as the wand ends are very slim so are able to get in there without being too messy. Honestly, I cannot fault the Collection mascara in any way; the final look on the eyes are very very V E R Y similar so similar I may do an in depth review on these two just to prove how much. The only things I could mention, if I was to be really picky, is that the Benefit one is easier to remove and overall slightly lengthens the lashes by 1mm more. THE BEST DUPE OF THE POST!

Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss Liar VS Barry M Toffee Ligloss

Urban Decay's Naked collection is an evergrowing love of every beauty fanatic nowadays. More recently, I have seen people purchasing the beautiful rose gold lipgloss tubes, which I have to say I'm in love with deeply. In my collection, I realised I have a lipgloss that can be compared quite closely. Regardless of the differentation in colours (seen in swatches above) the Barry M lipglosses have a dupe-like formula to that of the Urban Decay lip products. Both with a smooth glossy finish, you would not be able to tell the difference on the lips aesthetically and personally - a great bargain if I do say so myself. The only downfall is that the UD ones have better pigmentation and the Barry M ones can become rather sticky after several layers of applicance. 

Chanel Coco Rouge Lipshine Satisfaction VS L'Oreal Collection Privee Cheryl's Nude 

My all time favourite nude is Chanel's Satisfaction - not too pale, not too dark. Personally, I believe this to be a very sophisticated and flattering colour regardless of skin tone/preference. L'Oreal's nude collection could mirror that of this gorgeous Chanel shade; with 6 colours in the range, you can find your perfect nude for a cheaper price. In my opinion, Cheryl's Nude strikes drugstore Satisfaction to a T - I'm really into a nude lip this Summer. If you want that more luxurious feel and richness on the lips, you can go all the way and pay £25 for Satisfaction! Equally, each have a very subtle finish and pigmentation on the lips which makes it evermore the classier - I'm just in love with this lippie!

Mac Lady Danger VS E.L.F Velvet Rope

Hot, orange goodness to brighten up your Summer, Mac's Lady Danger and E.L.F's Velvet Rope can help you make a statement this season. Despite the different finishes, you can save £12 to get an exact colour match. As Lady Danger is has a matte finish, it is therefore longer lasting and can honestly stay on your lips for an entire day/night. On the other hand, E.L.F's moisturizing formula has a slightly glossier finish so can end up rubbing off in a couple of hours. It's down to you to decide - moisturzing, cheap but not long-lasting or matte, long-lasting but expensive?

Nars Audacious Charlotte VS Rimmel Kate Moss 107

Colour - With Rimmel's Kate Moss 107 shade being the Autumn craze over the last few years, I would like to inform all you owners of this berry beast that it mimicks that of the Nars Audacious Lipstick collection. Deep berries are my go-to every Autumn/Winter, like most beauty bloggers, so I thought I'd share this good lil dupe. The shades are very alike in the swatches above, as well as looking identical on the lip. Lasting power is 10/10 for both but the formula can become very drying and flake with the Rimmel option. To avoid this from happening, all you need is a little bit of lip balm to apply beforehand and your flaking nightmare will be over. 

Mac Rebel Lipstick VS Maybelline Colour Drama Berry Much

Colour - I won't declare this as the classic 'save the best till last' but this dupe comes close to one of my faves. Being a huge fan of the Maybelline Colour Drama pencils has become no surprise to me, the easy application, the rich colour, the variety in colour range and longevity of the product has been a massive YES from me! I would totally compare the darkest shade, Berry Much, to one of my Mac holy grails - REBEL! Similar in both satin finish, formula and intense berry colour you cannot go wrong with this dupe. For a third of the price, I would totally recommend all of my viewers to get your hands on this, especially before Autumn approaches.

What are your favourite dupes? 

Lots of love

Everyday Natural Makeup Starter Kit

Everyday Natural Makeup Starter Kit

Comment   

 Products:

~ 'C' Makeup Bag - Primark

~ Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector - Light

~ Maybelline Anti Age Rewind Concealer - Light

~ Too Faced Sweethearts Blush 

~ Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil - Dark Brown

~ Revlon Lash Potion

~ Mac Prolongwear Paint Pot - Bare Study

~ Benefit Posie Balm

You know them days when you can't be bothered to cake your face in endless pretty products?? Yeah, I get them days. So..here are a few handy little products, both highend and drugstore, for those days when you're feeling that little bit lazy!

Personally, I would opt for a BB cream when I'm not going full frontal with my makeup; this gives a slight coverage, evens out my skin colours and makes me feel a lot more confident than leaving the house with no facial makeup at all. Although, if you do feel comfortable with your natural skin, then you could just pop a bit of concealer (the Maybelline one mentioned above is incredible) under your eyes/over blemishes and you're good to go! Finally, facewise, you could add a subtle warmness to your cheeks by applying pinky-toned blush - I love this one from two faces, the little shimmers are perfect for a natural glow.

Moving on to eyes, I will go very minimal with days like this. However, I cannot go anywhere without my brows filled in (comment below if you have really sparse eyebrows like me and know the struggle:(!) With a few strokes of the inexpensive Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil your brows will be looking on fleek (I'm sorry) in no time. If I want to balance the tones on my eyelids, I will just pat a small amount of the beautiful champagne coloured paint pot from Mac in Bare Study. Lastly, I will apply a single coat of the Revlon Lash Potion for a bit of volume and length on my lashes.

Last but not least, is lips - and 100% I will always go for lipbalms on natural makeup days. I love the small 'eos'-liked balms from Boots called Balmis or for a wash of colour, I will go for Posie Balm above ^. The colour is so flattering with simple face makeup and it totally completes the look.

I hope you enjoyed today's post and I will see you all soon.

Love