The Good, The Better and The Not So Pretty of High End Makeup

The Good

This video featured the Anastasia Beverly Hills Palette which was a new addition to my collection and I am SO happy I finally managed to get my mits onto it. Much like a magpie to shiny things, I am instantly attracted to warm tone palettes and if you are too then this palette is definitely one for you. I love the array of shades this palette offers, especially the matte raspberry pink (Love Letter), the deep orange (Realgar) and of course the beautiful brown-toned red (Red Ochre) which is a staple in any palette that takes inspiration from red hues. I feel the colour selection is spot on and offers a variety of looks for any warm-toned lover. However, it was the formula of these shadows that really blew me away as I have not delved into Anastasia shadows much other than the odd single pan which admittedly has spent the majority of its time in a Z Palette in my makeup drawers. The tiniest touch of the brush in the powder and the pigmentation instantly packs a punch and subsequently blends beautifully onto the lid. The shades build wonderfully (as you can see in the video) and the fall out is minimal although still slightly there yet that is expected in any palette that has a really high pigmentation. The only downside is the packaging which I will not go into now as I mentioned it in a mini rant within the video but nevertheless I cannot wait to try more palettes from Anastasia after using this one!

The Better

Next up is probably my most favourite product that I featured in the tutorial and that is The Jeffree Star Skin Frost in the shade Peach Goddess and I later mentioned this in my January Favourites. First of all, I was seriously impressed with the size of this product as I feel like you really do get a good amount of powder due to how much you spend - a rarity in terms of makeup on the higher end of the scale. Secondly, the glow this gives is seriously insane and mimics the look of glass on the skin. I would say if you are fair skinned like myself, do not be put off by the 'peach' in the shade name as the peachy undertones barely translates onto the skin meaning it pretty much only adds serious glow as opposed to colour. I just love how pigmented this powder is and how you can instantly watch the highlighter pop on the skin as soon as it is applied. If you are after a new highlighter I urge you to check this out. I most definitely want to purchase some additional shades after next pay day! 

The Not So Pretty

Before I explain why the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder was the product that didn't impress in this tutorial, I feel like I need to mention that I have combination skin and on my more oiler days this powder is a dream to work with. It was just unfortunate that my skin on the day of filming probably was not at its best texture and that really translated onto the camera as it appeared patchy and left my skin looking flakey, which is why I deemed it 'the not so pretty' part of this makeup purely because it was the one product that impressed me the least. However, I will still continue to use this product but I will just have to make a conscious effort to wear it on days that I know it won't clash with my skin tone. Nevertheless, if you are on the hunt for a powder to try your hand at 'baking' with, then I would recommend this as I feel it has been the best loose powder I have tried so far and works a treat when my skin is behaving!

I hope you enjoyed this kind of post as it is something I have never done before. 

If you liked it then do please let me know!

What do you deem to be the Good, the Better and the Not So Pretty in High End Makeup?

High-End Makeup Tutorial

Product List:
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Concealer
MAC Prep + Prime in Light Boost
MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Baby Don’t Go
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown
Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder
Hourglass Cosmetic Ambient Lighting Palette
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Camel Coat
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
MAC Eyeshadow in Nylon
Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
Estée Lauder Sumptous Extreme Mascara
Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in First Love
Jeffree Star Cosmetics Skin Frost in Peach Goddess
EOS Lip Balm
Lime Crime Velvetines in Cashmere

Full Face Using Only Drugstore Products Tutorial and Mini Review

Products Used:

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 01 Porcelain

Collection Lasting Perfection in 1 Fair

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil in Brownie Points

Rimmel Brow This Way Clear Gel

Soap & Glory Solar Powder 

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer Compact 

No7 Perfect Shade and Define Shadow Stick in Glistening Ray 

Collection Eyes Uncovered Palette in Bronze Nude

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Makeup Revolution Ultra Pro Glow Palette

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Lovely Pink

MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder in Pink

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Nudist 

Products I Loved:

I personally love the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation to the point that I actually reach for this more than a lot of my high end products. I love the dewy finish it gives to my skin and I find the colour match spot on (which is suspected due to the name) despite it being from the drugstore. The coverage, for me, is perfect and it does not cake up on the skin during the application process which is more than impressive for such a cheap price tag. 

The Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is one of my all time favourite products EVER from the drugstore. This is one of the best concealers I have ever used and I am taking into consideration both high end and high street products. The coverage is insane and the creamy consistency makes blending a dream especially with a damp beauty blender. If you are going to try one product from this post then I seriously suggest this!

I haven't used the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner for a while and I do not understand why as after using it for this video, I completely fell in love with it again. First of all, I love the fact that it is a twist up pencil meaning no sharpener is required which is an absolute godsend. Secondly, the colour is stunning and seriously on trend right now so I suggest instead of forking out the cash on MAC Soar, just grab this instead from your local drugstore! 

Products That Didn't Impress:

You can probably see from the video my pained expression in regards to the application process of the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil. I feel it is only fair to say that first of all this product is old which suggests the dry and overly-waxy formula. Secondly, since purchasing this product, Soap & Glory have reformulated this product and I have loved and used up the new Archery Pencil whose performance is seriously outstanding in comparison to its predecessor and that isn't just because they included a 'spoolie' this time around. 

I am very confused about the purpose of the MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder as although I am aware it is always going to be cheaply made, it still doesn't really fulfil its purpose. I own other drugstore highlights that still offer some serious glow despite their inexpensive status where is this practically offered a slight gleam that was only apparent in really, really good sunlight. I personally think this could actually work out as a beautiful dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders as that is what the finish of this product reminds me of. I shall report back with any discoveries I have in regards to this hopeful venture but currently, as a highlighter, it is a no from me. 

I hope you enjoyed the video and this quick rundown. 

Let me know what you think in the comments!

Have you got any good drugstore recommendations?