Luxury Products You NEED In Your Makeup Bag

Luxury Products You NEED In Your Makeup Bag

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Over my years of makeup hoarding and testing loads of different products, I have come to terms with what works for me and what looks like a complete disaster. Recently, I've been trying to narrow down my makeup into a very small 'ten products you can't live without'. However, I found this too challenging, as I'm a huge lover of both the expensive and affordable makeup. Therefore, I would like to bring to you part 1 of my favourite makeup products of all time. 

Also, I've been thinking about uploading my top 10 drugstore products of all time over on my Youtube Channel to coincide with this blog post. I'm starting a Youtube Channel in the next few months as I am so close to saving up for a new, good quality camera. I cannot wait to start making videos and hopefully receive a positive response, as I've been sooooo scared to do this. If you are interested in watching my future youtube videos, don't hesistate to click on the link above or type 'CharlotteEmilyXXXX' to find my channel and subscribe. Leave a comment below if you do!

On with the fun stuff...

FACE

Without a doubt, I always prioritise my highend base goodies over my (also-very-loved) drugstore ones. Personally, I feel that they provide such a luxurious feel on the skin, alongside creating an effect that lives up to their high prices. I'm 100% a full coverage girl and my NARS Sheer Glow fulfills my every need; with a smooth, silky finish, even complexion and long-lasting power, this foundation is one to settle anyone's 'flawless finish' needs. Accompanying Sheer Glow comes my trusty NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Nars base products really work on my skin, building a firm base with a glowing radiance that counteracts my dryness. This concealer does my under eye circles wonders - illuminating my dull areas (under eyes, around my nose) and my T zone to highlight the centre of my face. 

Powder products are definitely my safety net when it comes to adding extra definition to my face. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, which you are probably sick-to-death hearing about from me, is a dream to blend when contouring, accentuating the hollows of my cheeks and structuring my face. The tiny golden flecks running through the product makes it perfect for the summer months when you want your face to glow under the sunlight. Blush is something I have love-hate relationship with; I am horrendously bad at applying the correct amount to my cheeks so I tend to avoid wearing it. However, after picking up MAC's Melba at the beginning of 2016, creating a soft, flushed effect has never been so easy. The warm, peach undertones form a natural look on my cheeks, something I've been wanting to achieve for months years! Saving the best till last - highlight!!! MAC'S infamous Soft and Gentle and The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer are the highlights you will always find lurking in my makeup bag; I alter between the two depending on my makeup look. If I've chosen cooler tones on my eyes/lips, I will opt for Mary Lou. Alternatively, Soft and Gentle compliments warmer tones so I pop some of that on my cheeks when I'm wearing a copper shadow and I'm good to go :)

EYES

Finding a single eyeshadow palette that I adore with all my heart was a challenge - I own many a shadow palette so it was very difficult to decide which met all my criteria. The Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette won! This was simply because it met everything I could ever want in a shadow palette - a mixture of matter and shimmers, intense pigmentation, all wearable/versatile shades, a variety of colours, a handy mirror and sleek packaging to fit in your makeup bag. I will honestly never stop raving about this palette because I love it soooo freaking much! My most used shadow is definitely Creme Brulee - it creates a gorgeous golden lid colour for those days where you just cant be bothered to spend 113432 hours perfecting your eye makeup.

LIPS

Another very difficult product to condense into my top favourites were my lipsticks. Fortunately, I've managed to narrow my choices to my top 3 lippies - a deep pink, a nude and a dark shade. Starting from the left, Charlotte Tilbury's stunning rose-gold packaging holds my all-time favourite 'your-lips-but-better- shade - BOND GIRL. This cool-toned, mauve pink is perfect for everyday wear but can also look glamorous in the evening too. The versatility of this lipstick is endless and it will never leave my purse/handbag/pocket no matter where I am. Nudes are my fall back if I'm wearing little makeup or don't want to draw any attention to myself - Chanel's Satisfaction is always something I go back to when I acquire a nude lip. The creamy formula feels incredibly luxurious on your lips and lasts for several hours, not something many lip products can do. Lastly, MAC's Dark Side is a more recent discovery; the dark, red/purple undertones really complement my ivory complexion and leave a thin, yet intense, satin finish.

What are you favourite high end makeup products? Do you have any dupes for the products I mentioned above?!

Lots of love

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. 

Top 5 Beauty Products ¦ March 2016

Top 5 Beauty Products ¦ March 2016

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Over the first three months of 2016, I would like to say I am proud to be following through with one of my New Year's resolution - frequently changing the cosmetics in my makeup bag so that I utilise all of my products. However, this month these five items became staples in my everyday morning routine. In fact, I've been loving them so much I just had to tell you about them!

Also, this post is in collaboration with @BeautyandBrushesX from Instagram; don't forget to check out her top 5 current beauty products on her blog!

BRONZING

~ Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess ~

Since Christmas 2015, I have worn this on my face every single time I've applied makeup - and there STILL isn't a significant dent in the product. Hallelujah! This bronzing powder helps me to achieve a natural, luminous glow whilst defining my non-existent cheek bones. The warmth of the brown is very flattering on my dull skin and boosts the life in my, usually very sleepy, face.  A product I will forever repurchase and rave about!

~ Real Techniques Bold Metals Contour Brush ~

When it comes to makeup application, I always acquire the best brush for the job - I have made many a cosmetic fault by using my fingers or wrong brushes to blend in my early teens. Therefore, I find it vital that I find the best brush possible to apply product. For contouring, I finally got my hands on one of Real Techniques Bold Metals brushes - The Flat Contour. Contouring has been made simple with a brush that can evenly, and precisely, apply product in the hollows of your cheeks, along the jawline, nose and elsewhere. Oh, and it's rose gold - BONUS!

BROW DUO 

~ Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Chocolate & Angled 12 Brush ~

HOLY GRAIL BROW PRODUCT. My brows are a nightmare to work with - they are such a weird colour, my inner brows lack any hair at all and there are both completely different in shape. I know the old saying 'eyebrows are sisters, not twins' but mine are honestly not related. However, I have found something to cure my non-fleeky brow days - the Anastasia Dipbrow and brush. If you want to read more about my love for this product and how it has helped me, click HERE to find out more.

LIPS

~ Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Bond Girl ~

On Valentine's Day, I was very lucky to spend the day in London and have a mooch around all of the makeup shops - something my boyfriend didn't like doing as much. In Selfridges, I managed to pick up my very first, and well-loved, Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in the shade BOND GIRL. This for me has been my go-to nude of the month. I don't usually wear pale, orange toned nudes as they completely wash me out, so this mauve/pink toned nude has been my March saviour. 

FRAGRANCE

~ Valentino Valentina Perfume ~

Finally, I have been reaching for my old fragrances - like Valentino Valentina - this month as they somehow bring back memories for me. I always relate smells to events/days in my past and I think it is such a memorable way to reminisce. This classy, feminine bottle holds deep white floral notes with inital sweet citrus bursts of berries. Perfect for the upcoming Summer months. 

What beauty products have you been loving this month? Have you tried any of the items I spoke about?

Lots of love

~ Winter Ball ~

~ Winter Ball ~

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Hey Everyone! Sorry for the lack of seasonal posts (not that this is any better) but A levels have literally taken over my life, along with extra activities like pantomime rehearsals and driving lessons. Hopefully I will keep this up over the Winter holidays and the New Year because I would love to be as active as I was during the Summer!!

Anyway, today I'd like to write about my Friday Evening at my school's Winter Ball - celebrating the hard work we've all put into playing on the Foosball table in the common room  our AS/A levels so far and to, of course, celebrate Christmas itself. I absolutely loved the venue, the colours used to decorate were very seasonally appropriate and the dance floor was so much better than my prom!!

Onto my favourite part... GETTING READY!

As always, makeup is the best part whenever I'm getting ready to go out. The focus tonight was on my eyes because I wanted them to match my silver and black outfit. Before applying facial makeup, I went straight to my eyes because when black is involved, fallout is crazy!!! I stuck cellotape from underneath the corner of my eye to the point of my brow to create a smooth, neat line where the shadow and liner would finish. Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette came in handy; I applied verve over the top of Mac's Bare Study to form a silver undertone on the lid, followed by pistol in the crease to begin layering. Black Out, an intense, pure black, was placed in the outer corner and crease layer by layer until built to my desired look. I finished my eyes by placing silver glitter all over my lid.

Primer : Benefit Stay Flawless 15hr 

Foundation : L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation

Concealer : YSL Touch Eclat

Powder : Rimmel Stay Matte

Eyebrows : Soap and Glory Brow Archery

Eyeliner : Rimmel Exaggerate

Lashes : P.S Love Primark 'Sultry' Lashes

Bronzer : Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess 

Highlight : Mac Soft and Gentle 

Lipstick : Rimmel Kate Moss 101

Outfit: 

Jumpsuit : Topshop

Shoes : River Island

I wore large, silver statement jewellery to cover up big areas of bare skin - i.e my neck and arms. I absolutely love the black and silver theme I went for, despite originally planning to wear royal blue, like my bestie Jess. Also, Jess offered to curl my locks because I wanted to make my hair really voluminous and bouncy to take attention away from my chubby face.

Before leaving for the ball, Jess and I met with our friend Harvey to take some cute selfies. We also had a couple glasses of Prosecco - maybe Harvey had a few too many glasses...

The night finished up being one of the best nights I've had in a long while. I absolutely loved spending time outside of school with new, and old, friends and having so much fun. Surprisingly, the music was fab too and everyone was dancing the entire evening (none of that awkward, tense atmosphere with noone on the dance floor). 

Thank you for reading, I hope to be posting again before Christmas. What would you like to see?

Lots of love

Top Ten High End Beauty Picks | Collab w/ WILDFLOWERMAKEUP

Top Ten High End Beauty Picks | Collab w/ WILDFLOWERMAKEUP

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Today I've paired up with a new fellow blogger friend - Daisy Watkins - to give you all a taste of my top ten high end makeup products and Daisy's top ten drugstore makeup products. Her links will be at the bottom of the post so do NOT forget to check her blog out. Let's take it away..just incase this post becomes too long!

Estee Laude Bronze Goddess ~ A wonderful warm-toned bronzer, perfect for all skin types, with a powder formula that is just as pigmented as any cream based one. It can be very easy to go overboard with bronzing/contouring so the easy-to-build pigmentation of the product fits the job! Not only is this featured in my top ten, it is my number one bronzer, a staple in my collection and I'm sure it will be for a long time! A swipe of this and you're a glowing 'goddess' - the tiny golden glitters running throughout make this great for the coming Summer months!

Mac Studio Fix Fluid (NC15) ~ For those who love a good ol' full coverage foundation, then this one is for you also. Mac's Studio Fix Fluid will leave your skin looking completely flawless with no redness or blemishes in sight. However, I would be careful not to over apply the product as it can become cakey looking on the face. Overall, this product leaves you with a sleek satin finish base.

Mac Woodwinked ~ Hands down the best eyeshadow that has worked for me in my life. Woodwinked would look great on anyone as the gold glitter and olive undertones can ultimately accentuate any eye colour. Due to the varying colours within the shadow, the final effect on the lid looks incredible - a definite must-have in my opinion.

Urban Decay Naked Flushed ~ This is a fabulous Summer-compact holding a coral blush, warm bronzer and a peachy champagne highlight. An amazing palette that has 3 products in 1 for a price of just £22.50 - insane if you ask me, considering just a single highend face product costs the same amount as this. Urban Decay is a brand to look out for - especially the entire NAKED collection.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ~ This has been a new addition to my collection in the last week and I have fallen head over heels for it. It is the best concealer I've ever used - the soft, creamy formula makes the product blendable as well as feeling expensive on the face. Personally, I've loved using this concealer under my eyes to cover my horrific under eye circles or 'bags', brightening the centre of my face and highlighting specific areas that I wish to define.

Benefit Porefessional ~ Lightweight, silkiness and lasting power of products on top are things that I look for in my idyllic primer. Benefit's Porefessional covers my three main criteria as well as extending its fabulousness to minimize the appearance of pores. I don't have a huge issues with my pores but this just helps to even out my skin before applying a base; not forgeting the silky finish it leaves on your face.

Mac Fleur Power ~ For a pop of pink for Summer 2015, you have nothing better to rely on than Mac's gorgeous Fleur Power. This powder blush leaves the apples of your cheeks rosy and pink. Also, the colour is great for all year round - I would layer it up in Winter to give that realistic cold feeling but more subtely in summer, giving a sweet, girly sense. 

Bobbi Brown Mascara ~ I've owned this sample size for a couple of months and have utterly fallen in love with it - so much as I'm 100% purchasing the full size. I've only ever tried out samples of highend mascaras as I'm a bit tentative to spend a lot on something that expires quickly/runs out fast. However, I have found to be exceedingly suprised with this one due to its ability to separate, lengthen and thicken my lashes - not forgetting how long wearing it is.

Chanel Coco Rouge Shine Satisfaction ~ I've talked about this bad boy enough so go and check it out in another post if you want to see it up close and personal. Satisfaction has to be the world's perfect nude lipstick, a great lasting power and a silky, luxurious feel to the lips. With a visually crazy price of £25 for a lipstick, you are not wasting your money! 

Mac Rebel ~ Another of my favourite lipsticks that I've mentioned 100s of times. This lipstick is my go-to dark lip; an intense dark purple - another product that suits absolutely anyone. The only thing to look out for is the insane staying power - so much as it leaves your lips stained for a while...

If all of my options are a bit too pricey for your eye or are looking for a dupe that doesn't cost quite as much, definitely check out Daisy's post by clicking HERE! Don't forget to check out her instagram account too - @wildflowermakeup. I've loved working with her and she is a fab girl <3

Love

Pink Lips, Winged Liner & Simple Shadow

Pink Lips, Winged Liner & Simple Shadow

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Products used:

Primer - Smashbox Photofinish

Foundation - Mac Studio Fix Fluid NC15

Concealer - Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser in Light

Contour - Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (Temples and Cheekbones)

Blush - Mac Fleur Power 

Highlight - Benefit Watts Up

Eyebrows - Rimmel Pencil in 001 Dark Brown

Eyeshadow - Naked Basics 2 palette (Stark on lid and Cover in crease) 

Eyeliner - Soap and Glory Super Cat Liner

Mascara - Revlon Lash Potion

Lipstick - Mac Lovelorn 

I thought that today I would upload a pretty simple makeup look because I haven't in a while and lot of people enjoyed them previously. I love how gorgeous the finish is of the Mac foundation - I luuurve high coverage. The lipstick adds a lovely pop of colour to the look, as I decided to do simple eyes for those, like myself, who haven't yet mastered the art of eyeshadow-ing! I've also been really into winged liner recently and it fits perfectly with this little daytime designed face. 

Hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Love

P.S. Hoping to upload tomorrow too if I get the chance (Hint - It's all about concealers)