Monday 30 January 2017

My All Time Favourite High Street Highlighter Kit

Sleek Makeup have definitely made a name for themselves in the last few years in regards to having good quality products for an even better price. If they weren't making beautiful palettes with punchy pigments and an array of colours, they were killing it with their blushes that appear to take inspiration from NARS Cosmetics and not only because of their matte, black packaging. Recently, I stumbled across the Sleek Highlighting Palette in Diamond in the Rough on a stand in my local boots and after a single swatch I was sold. For starters, I couldn't believe how affordable the palette was as I only paid £7.99 for six shades that are seriously better than a lot of my higher end glow givers. The palette offers a variety of different shades ranging from icy whites, champagne golds and deep rose hues as well as two consistencies, cream and powder. The cream shades did not take my initial fancy as I often find cream highlighters can sometimes apply unevenly on top of powders yet as you can see by the swatch, the glow from this highlight takes on the appearance of glass and can transform you from a 'tired and dull mortal' to an 'ice queen who has their life together' in a matter of seconds, or maybe that is just my experience. However, it is the champagne gold shade (second from the left) that gave this palette cult status for me. The glow this gives is extreme as it takes on a 'wet' like appearance on the skin which is something I definitely look for in my highlights. You can see this in action in my Natural Makeup Look and you will understand what I mean as after just the tap of a brush on my cheeks my complexion quite literally changes in front of my eyes from dull and dreary to radiant and healthy. I used this throughout the majority of December and honestly would happily throw away the majority of my high end highlighters in favour for this one. I urge you to check this out if you see it in your local Boots or Superdrug!

What are your favourite drugstore highlighters? 



Sunday 29 January 2017

A Natural Quick & Easy MOTD and Tutorial

A quick and simple makeup tutorial that is perfect for those who are looking for something pretty but easy to wear to work or school. Hope you enjoy!

Products used:

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Porcelain
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder
MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Baby Don't Go
Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown
Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette
Makeup Forever Aqua Cream Eyeshadow in 13
The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Purely Naked
MAC Eyeshadow in Nylon
Kiko Khol Liner in Nude
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Candy Glow
Sleek Highlighting Palette in Diamond in the Rough
Dior Lipgloss in Venus

Hope you like it and let me know what you think!

Wednesday 25 January 2017

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

Sunday 15 January 2017

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? 



Thursday 12 January 2017

'In The Nude' Makeup Tutorial

If you like the look of my 'makeup of the day' that I based on the Balm Nude-Tude Palette and paired with a Kylie Jenner lip kit, please head on all over to my YouTube Channel to check out how I achieved it.

Products used:
YSL Le Teint Touche Élclat Foundation in B30
Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade
MAC Pro Longwear blush in Baby Don't Go
Rimmel Brow This Way Gel
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Concealer in Fair
MAC Prep and Prime in Light Boost
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in 1 Fair
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light/ Incandescent Light/ Radiant Light
theBalm Batter Up Eyeshadow Primer in Moonshot
theBalm 'Nude-Tude' Palette
Kiko Colour Definition Eyeliner in 01
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
FairyDrops Scandal Queen Mascara
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Koko K

Let me know what you think!
What are some of your favourite 'nude' pieces in your collection? 

Tuesday 10 January 2017

The Battle of the Highlighters

It is no secret that highlighters are very much the in  thing right now. Highlighters are the perfect way to fake a healthy glow on dull days and personally, my face does not feel complete without a dousing of highlight on my cheeks bones and the tip of my nose. It seems like everybody and their nan are on the ultimate expedition to find that ultimate glow so look no further as I am about to give you a full rundown on some of my favourite highlighters that I have been loving over the past year. So let's get straight into it as I have a feeling we could be here for a while...

For starters, I had to mention the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle as this was actually my first proper powder highlighter and the culprit for my ongoing glow obsession. I always recommend this powder to anyone that hasn't ventured into the highlight sphere before as it is a subtle champagne-peach shade and cannot be overly done yet it is still achievable to gain that ultimate glow. It isn't exactly cheap (£24 to be exact) but it definitely is not on the higher end of the market when it comes to price and this pan will last you a good year. As you can see, I actually have mine in the old packaging as it has lasted me that long and obviously there is the fact that I am highlighter whore and I never stay loyal to one which is probably pretty obvious due to this post. 

Next up is the Mary-Lou Manizer from theBalm. This is a much coveted highlight that has previously sat neatly in between high street and high end price tag as it could be purchased in both Debenhams and Superdrug however it now costs £17.49 which I'm pretty sure has increased, most likely because Mary's popularity has grown dramatically in the past couple of years thanks to the blogging industry. Mary-Lou boasts a gold gleam with a subtle shimmer that breaks into a champagne gold when applied onto the cheeks. I recommend this to a lot of highlighter lovers as it seriously adds a bit of oomph to the complexion plus it looks beautiful on a variety of skin tones - trust me. I have used this during the midst of winter when my face is so pale, I'd give Snow White a run for her money, as well during the peak of Summer when I transition from deathly pale to just pale. If you are looking for a champagne highlight that makes those cheek bones pop - check this out!

This next one is probably my all time favourite highlighter to the point that you can see in the picture above that I have almost hit pan. The BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed in Moonstone is probably the most talked about highlighter of 2016 alongside its sister Champagne Pop, and it isn't difficult to understand why. The colour is of course a beautiful pale gold with cool-silvery undertones that looks literally like liquid gold on the skin. However, it is the formula and finish of this highlight that sets it above its competitors. The formula of this powder is so finely milled it quite honestly feels like liquid and takes on a similar appearance when on the skin, to the point that your cheeks actually glisten when adorned with this BECCA beauty and seriously, I cannot get enough. I find whenever I wear this I seriously get addicted to the glow to the point that I am low-key applying this everywhere  on my face and I have no shame. It costs a hefty £32 but seriously I would not even hesitate to purchase this again - this is desert island stuff people! 

The Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold Highlighter looks gimmicky but still offers the incredible quality that parallels all of her other products - seriously can Tilbury do any wrong? I purchased this originally as I love how small and compact the product is and felt that this would be the perfect travel sized highlighter and I was not wrong. The swatches of this do not do the gold justice, I honestly feel like a goddess when I wear this and I am never going to complain about that. The only downside is that the product costs £32 (gulp) for a pitiful 4.5g however if you are a regular shopper of Charlotte Tilbury products, this would come at no surprise. I wouldn't recommend this as a first time highlighter but if you are highlighter obsessed like me and are on the hunt for a true gold sheen - this is your gal. 

Finally, do not kill me as I am about to mention a product that costs an arm and leg to ship to the UK but it was soo worth it. The ColourPop Pearlized Highlighter in Wisp appears seemingly inexpensive as it technically costs under £7, although it actually costs a bomb when you add in the shipment charge from the US as well as the tax and all those nitty gritty details. I wish nothing more that ColourPop would create a decent stockists in the UK but do look around if you are wanting to purchase this as some UK sites do sell it but maybe with a slightly increased price. However, despite it's actual inexpensive status, the glow from this little while pot is incredible and the shade is seriously stunning as it offers a beautiful gold with a subtle peach undertone that only adds to the glow on the skin. The consistency of all ColourPop products is seriously odd as they look like a powder yet apply like a cream therefore I would recommend to use a synthetic brush when using any of their products to achieve the ultimate colour pay off. ColourPop offer a wide variety of highlighters that are all seriously beautiful so do go and check them out and pray along with me that they become even more accessible in the UK.

...and breathe. If you read all of that, I love you and will add you to my 2017 Christmas card lists.
I hope you enjoyed this run down of my favourite highlighters and please leave a comment below!

What is your favourite highligher?







Sunday 8 January 2017

First Youtube Video - My Current Everyday Makeup Tutorial

Hi everyone!

I created my first Youtube video by request from a young girl who wanted to know how I applied my makeup but I figured as I spent so much time perfecting it, I may as well release it into the big wide world of Youtube.

Please check it out and feel free to like/ comment or subscribe.

Any feedback would be most appreciated!

Leanne xx