NARS Virtual Domination Blush Palette

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FOTD: Neutrals and Coral

Morning lovelies!

I've got a Face of the Day post today as I've had a bit of time to fuss around and take pictures in the morning recently. i always think it's nice to know what people REALLY use on their face despite reviews they've produced.

Here's my FOTD before I had my hair dyed back to its natural colour:

It's quite a simple every day look, there was minimal fuss and I kept with my neutral eye colours and used a few summery coral colours to keep in the with sun that had actually arrived in the sky!

The Benefit Groovy Kind of Love set was bought last Christmas in their seasonal collection. It had a bit of everything that I couldn't resist and contained a few neutral eyeshadows that I needed to test out! Plus it's a great travel kit as it has almost everything you need.

Everything else used is shown below; Beauty blender, Vichy Dermablend in Opal, Lasting Perfection concealer in 1, Bourjois Chocolate bronzer, Inika Mineral Blush in 04 Peachy Keen, MAC Studio Fix powder, UD 24/7 Liner in Smoke, They're Real mascara and Gimme Brow styling gel.

I've been using my beauty blender a lot recently, it's a new addition to my stash and it took some getting used to but now I'm hooked!
It gives such a perfect finish (after a bit of work) and I love how natural and even the coverage is from it. You can see below in the super close picture of my forehead how even and flawless this is.

After using the blender to apply Dermablend and the concealer i dusted on the Studio Fix. It's quite a heavy powder but I've been using it recently to use it up; it's looking a bit tired and I want to get my next Back to Mac lipstick asap!

Next I applied the bronzer and blush to my cheeks to attempt some mild sculpting of my face and then ran Gimme Brow through my unruly brows. I've found mine have got a lot more temperamental recently!

Then I used all 4 of the colours in the Benefit palette building up from the lightest all over the lid, the middle two colours blended into the crease with the gold shimmer in the centre of the lid. Then I used the darkest colour to line underneath the eye and the outer corner of the upper lid.

I love using the 24/7 liner in Smoke on my lower waterline as it is a perfect alternative to black for every day wear; I find it can be too heavy sometimes and I like to change it up. I bought Smoke as part of a set but I can honestly say I use it a lot more than I thought I would and I really love it.

Here I also applied two coats of They're Real mascara, I think it's one of the best out there but i do begrudge paying the £19.50 for it as I'm a mascara germ phobe and throw them out after 6-10 weeks. However you can often get them in deals or minis in magazines which I always pick up!

One thing that i seem to have completely forgotten to take a photo of is Cha Cha tint from Benefit. I used this on my lips for a natural looking stain which lasts a few hours. I never use these as much as I should and need to get into using the minis i have of them as the colours are lovely and can be built up from a wash to a strong coloured stain.

What do you think of my FOTD? 

It's a general every day look for me and I love switching between neutral palettes to mix things up. Which is your favourite palette of the moment? Do you use the stains from Benefit?

L xxx

FOTD: Everyday Face

Morning lovelies!

I'm not sure if I've ever done a FOTD before so I thought it was about time I did. I LOVE painting my face on every morning so I thought I'd go through my usual products on my face on a daily basis.

Starting with my base:

I've recently been using a new product for my foundation as I picked up MAC's Mineralize Satin Finish about two months ago. It's not as heavy coverage as some of the other MAC foundations I've tried, particularly Studio Fix, so I tend to wear it now my skin is a lot better than before.

I apply this using a Real Techniques buffing brush. Sometimes I wear primer and others I don't, if I do wear it at the moment I've been using the relatively new Bourjois Happy primer for oily/combo skin. On reflection I should have bought the other version for drier skin now that my skin doesn't seem as oily but maybe over the summer it will be!

Next I applied Benefit's Erase Paste to my undereyes, I cannot rave enough about this beauty and I'm sure on the dreaded day it runs out i will be repurchasing! It's so creamy and brightening that you just cannot love it, and the number 1 shade is perfect for my skin tone. It blends easily and brightens so quickly! 

After that it's brows and cheeks.

I've been using the fabulous HD Brows kit in Foxy ever since receiving it in the Latest in Beauty Glamour Edit box before Christmas. I can 100% recommend picking up the HD Brows kit and also the Latest in Beauty boxes as they are full of treats and new things for you to play with, I've found some definite new favorites including the brow kit. 

As for cheek products I've got on the Bourjois 'chocolate' bronzer to define my face and Benefit's Coralista. I love the two combined as they suit my skin tone and give me enough of colour for a day at work (being in a lab doesn't call for make up really....).
Coralista is my ultimate favourite blusher, coral coloured and a slight golden shimmer.

As for eyes I've got my uber fave Urban Decay Theodora palette on. It's perfect for every day wear regardless of what you're doing and I absolutely love it. It's such a shame it was only a limited edition palette as once it's gone I don't know what I'll do!

I use three colours from it mainly; Broken, Bewitch and West. For me they create the perfect blend of neutrals and browns for day wear on any occasion. 

As for lashes I'm currently wearing Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast after having it in so many Christmas sets. I quite like it and its a good general mascara for every day use; separates and coats each lash and doesn't spread down my face after a few hours.

Lastly on the lips I have MAC's Crosswires, its a gorgeous Creme sheen lipstick that's the understated sister of Vegas Volt. I actually don't wear lipstick to work as I feel like it would be too much but I couldn't resist!
I'd wear this face to most day occasions including work and shopping trips.

What are your face basics? Do you like my FOTD? Is it something that you would wear too?

L xxx

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette

Hello everyone!

Hope your weekend is shaping up exactly like you wanted!

We've got a review today of a lovely palette from guess who..............well it's obvious really isn't it!
Urban Decay are the palette Kings and Queens and nothing that they've brought out has been even slightly disappointing; we all know about the Naked eyeshadow palettes and a little while ago they brought out the Naked Flushed* palette.

I'm sure you've seen it before as it as been a big hit but just incase you haven't lets just marvel at the beauty of the palette and the packaging.

The box fits in nicely with the Naked packaging theme and the palette itself looks exactly the same as the outer box. It has raised gold lettering on it and it looks simple but effective, which is pretty much how all of the Naked products seem to be.

Inside you can see the three products side by side and there is even a mirror in the lid which is HUGE and I absolutely love this. I have a pet hate with mirrors being so tiny inside palettes when they could fill it, such as this one (this includes the original Naked palette, i hate that it has such a tiny strip inside it!)

Swiped with my fingers you can clearly see how pigmented the powders are, L-R we have the blusher, highlighter and bronzer.

I've been using them daily for the last few weeks and I have to say I do quite like it. The bronzer looked a little orange in the palette to me but on my face it does a good job of contouring my face and making it look like it's got a bit of life and shape about it. I find it hard to go to wrong with it too which is great for my 6am rush!

The highlighter is something I love also, its not as glaringly obvious as MAC's MSF in soft and gentle and its not as gold either. It's very flattering, not at all glittery and you could get away with wearing this day in, day out without fearing of someone thinking your glittering like a disco ball at a serious 9am board meeting. It's very subtle and I often apply it to my cheek bones during the week let alone for a Saturday night out!

The blusher was initially something I struggled with as I must be used to being heavy handed. It is SO pigmented that on my super pale skin I found it hard to control and sometimes looked a little clown ish because I'd put too much on. After I'd rectified this problem and only applied to tiniest bit I can confirm that I had the perfect 'flush' and now I'm using so little I can definitely see that this palette will last me a long time.

I've looked at it from afar many times when walking through my local Debenhams with envious eyes as I've wanted to get my hands on it for a long time! I can say it doesn't disappoint and will be coming on many trips with me in future. The sturdy packaging and three in one palette means its perfect for weekends away and carrying around with you.

Urban Decay...........you've done it again!


L xxx

Hey all

Hope you are having a great weekend! I'm just off to my kickboxing fitness class before pizza and beer with Jenny!

I love all of the Naked Palettes and I love that urban decay are extending on from naked eyeshadows and creating a whole naked line that is so wearable.

I love the idea of having a bronzer, blush and highlighter all in one palette. This has been in my gym make up bag and handbag for the past few weeks. It's so much easier than carrying three products around.

The packaging is practical. Plastic means it's not going to get scratched, dented or broken. I love the huge mirror! I's been great for doing my make up on the bus!

I thought I'd show the product on as some of the colours can look scary in the pan and swatched, as with other urban decay products they offer amazing pigmentation.



Here is my skin with just foundation and powder.



The bronzer colour did concern me in the pan. It does look orange toned but on the skin it offers amazing pigmentation and gives a great contour. You only need the lightest touch. I love how it defines my cheek bones and I always swipe a bit in temples.



If you've read the blog for a while you'll know I'm the biggest fan of Benefit Dandelion. I wear it all the time. It's the softest pink. Lately I've wanted more colour and found Dandelion can be a bit pale. The blush has been perfect for these days. It adds a gorgeous rosy natural glow to the cheeks.



As L said the highlighter is much softer than Soft and Gentle which is a favourite of ours. I love that this is easier to wear for day to day. I'm someone who contours and highlights most days. I find my face can be a bit flat otherwise. (on my eyes is Naked 3! It's a beaut!)

I love how well the three colours go together and how easy they are to wear!

Urban decay are also bringing out the Naked Flushed palette in other colours so keep your eyes peeled for those! It's totally acceptable to own two flushed palettes right as I want the light one too!





This shows off the contour when blended is subtle. At first it looks scary but when blush is applied it gives a soft contour!

Love M

xxx

Makebelieve Enhance Sunbeam Bronzer and Brush!

Hey All

Happy Tuesday! It's definitely the worse day of the week for me and always the one that drags! I'm hoping to get another gym session in tonight to hopefully distract me!

Anyway onto today's review. Apologies for the messy packaging but at least you can see it's well loved. Lately I've been trying to shop my stash and found this gem from the Bristol Bloggers meet around a year ago. We had such amazing goodie bags I've been working my way through them.

Makebelieve isn't a brand I've tried much off but after getting my hands on this and falling in love when I eventually tried it I think I need to get my hands on the fake tan!

A matte bronzer is a daily must have for me. My cheeks get contoured everyday. Anyone who has read the blog for a while may know I'm a huge fan of the Liz Earle bronzer and that bad boy didn't leave my face for well over a year!! Since trying this one it's been replaced!

The packaging I don't love as it is cardboard and gets really messy and covered in my mucky finger prints. But saying that it has held together well. First impressive thing the the amazing kabuki brush it comes with. Usually brushes that come with products aren't that great! This bad boy is so soft. I can't believe I left it untouched for so long! It's also the perfect size to fill in my cheek bones.

The bronzer itself has great pigmentation and not much is needed. As you can see from the picture after about 3 months use it still has the embossed mark visible.

A good matte bronzer isn't the easiest to find. It has to be non orange, non muddy looking and non shimmer. In the pan I thought this would be slightly too orange for my pale skin but after trying it I was totally hooked and it's become an everyday staple for me.

Natural skin

With bronzer applied under the cheek bones.

I love using this to add shape to my face! I really like the colour it comes out on my skin. It adds a natural colour and really lasts well. I like to flatten the kabuki brush so it fits perfectly into my cheek bones. I then use it as is to sweep colour around my temples to give me a glow!

I'm totally converted from my Liz Earle and I hadn't expected that. This is a great quality product with an amazing brush. It's perfect for make up application in a hurry as the brush is always there.

Love M

xxx