Real Techniques Splurge

Morning all!

I'm on day 2 of my conference and my brain is completely BUZZING with all of the info that I've been listening to, I feel like I need a nap already!

I picked these up recently in the usual Boots offer of buy one get one half price which is always a happy sight in my view! 

I've been lusting after both of these sets for a while and the fact one set is limited edition just made me want it more!

The eyeshadow brush collection is designed really well and there's everything you could possibly need, plus I love that they're all colour coded to purple!

Its a brilliant starter set for newbies and also for people like myself who have a few brushes but always feel like there's never enough. Even though I've had eyeshadow brush sets before this one covers all bases and if you're anything like me will use them for additional uses as well...

The case is also a welcome addition as I seem to be travelling quite a lot recently and running out of make up bags to store everything!

They're particularly useful as they keep the brushes flat and so prevent damage to the bristles.

The limited edition set was very exciting to play with and I've been eyeing it up for a little while now.

The duo fibres are supposed to be great and I've heard promising things about this kit from many people.

I didn't want to get them out of the packaging particularly as they're so perfectly white and clean but that feeling didnt last very long!

I've been playing around with both kits and will be doing full reviews on the brushes on a separate occasion.

I was wondering which of these brushes were your favourite? Whilst I'm playing around and getting used to them I thought I'd post and see if anyone had any tips for the duo fibre brushes, washing them so they stay white as possible and any application tips! 

Ill be watching the YouTube videos of course but I'd like to see your opinions on these brushes too.

L xxx

Review: Stila One Step Illuminating Primer

Good morning! 

Hope you're all doing well. I'm currently at my first ever work conference and I'm excited, nervous and a general bag of beans about it all.

It's all paid for including meals and over nights stays by my company which is lovely and I'm going with another of the girls from work which will be good for some general bonding as I haven't been there long.

But enough of the life updates, we're here to talk about products!

Today I've got a review on a well known Stila One Step Illuminating Primer.

I love using this when I'm in a 'treat' kind of mood or for weekends and nights out.
I've had it since Christmas and have used it most weekends when going out and to events like weddings etc, which when you see pictures below of the product you can see how much I still have left!

This is one of their triple swirled serums which not only primes, brightens and illuminates the skin but also fights wrinkles and smooths fine lines.
As if that wasn't enough it also minimises pores, controls oil and generally hydrates and balances your skin.
This is just quite simply a bit of a wonder product really isn't it?!

Being a triple swirled serum it absorbs into your skin really easily which is great when I'm in a rush, nobody likes sitting around waiting for things to sink in!
The serum is compiled of three different colurs for three different purposes.

Light gold highlights the skin, the pale pink warms the complexion and 'kitten' (an infamous Stila shade) brightens and illuminates.

As mentioned previously I still have so much left of this primer considering I've had it and been using it since Christmas. You need such a small amount to cover your face as it's a serum and it looks great.



I could honestly look at this all day. Things like this will always baffle and entertain me, being a scientist I just want to know how it works and why!



You can see the primer once it has been dispensed on my hand below, it was the easiest way to show the colours, but even so they're so hard to photograph it's hard!

Both me and M are huge fans of Stila primers as we've already posted about their Color Correct serum previously. This was a great present from my mum at Christmas as she knew I'd love the illuminating one too!

It absorbs super quick, leaves a great base, illuminates my skin without being glittery and helps to keep my make up in place for the majority of the day.
In order to maximise my make up longevity I do often mix thi with Revlon's PhotoReady primer for the benefits of them both combined and it's a winning combo for me and my skin!

What's your faovurite Stila product? I've seen some beautiful palettes and blushers, which would you recommend?

L xxx

Review: Bblonde Colour Toner

Today I'm sharing with you a review of Bblonde colour toner. As someone with blonde hair and hair that seems to love to go ginger when died (thanks mum) toner and purple shampoo is something I always use.

When I saw a review of Bblonde on twitter I tweeted the person saying it sounded great and was lucky enough to be contacted to see if I wanted to review it too. The toners came in three colours so there is one too suit all shades of blonde. It comes in Champagne, Honey and Platinum colours. I choose to try champagne.

The champagne toner is great to remove brassiness and brighten hair subtly adding blush hints. When I read that it would add blush hints I was initially a little worried. I was also concerned using a home toner would dry out my already highlighted hair.

In this photo you can see the pink tone to the toner.

You are meant to do a patch test but to be honest I'm really bad and don't even though I really should. The toner is really easy to use, simply use a clarifying shampoo and then apply the toner into towel dried hair from root to tip.

Pre Toner

Post Toner (you can see it's a lot less brassy and more blonde, ignore my roots!)

The next step is to cover hair with a plastic hood (I used cling film) and apply a hair dryer for 5 minutes. I left it on for the maximum time of 30 minutes and then washed out and applied conditioner.

I was so pleasantly surprised that my hair wasn't dry after using this and it felt in good condition. I blow dried it and was pleased it wasn't too blush toned and just looked brighter.

Since using it I've felt I need to use my purple shampoo less and my hair has been less brassy then it normally gets in between my highlights. I'm so pleased with the colour it has gone.

I've liked the toner so much I've since bought the platinum one to try in the next few weeks as I'm planning to dye my hair lilac in November.

Love M

xxx

FOTD featuring Illamasqua Pigment in Fervent

It's been a while since I've done a face of the day. I love playing with make up but lately I've been being lazy as being busier later in the evenings mean I just want my bed in the mornings.

When searching through my stash I found my illamasqua pigment that I haven't used much so decided to play around.

I applied my Avon eyelid primer all over my lid and started with a matte base using Foxy from Naked 2.

I then blended Tease (again from Naked 2) into my crease. This is my favourite crease colour. I love it for easy make up and use it most days. It's the perfect neutral matte brown.

I decided to use the pigment as a liner. This can be done in a few ways. You can either wet your brush to dampen the pigment. What I did was use something I got in the front cover sets (the ones in boots at christmas time) which is like a clear liquid that makes any colour eyeshadow a liquid liner.

I decided to pack the pigment on so you could really see all the colours. I love how it's reddy toned with some green tones depending on the light.

This is the first pigment I have got from illamasqua and I love it and want more. I love how they can be used in different ways and look different depending on how you apply them.

Here you can see the difference in colour depending on where you pack the pigment or blend it out. I really love the colour when it's packed on.

As it's a pigment it does get messy so I also do my eyes before foundation if I'm losing a loose pigment as it's much easier.

I used a coat of They're Real as I didn't want to use false lashes as I think they would be hard to blend with a coloured liner.

I used my studio fix fluid foundation. I don't really love this but I think it's more due to a the fact mine seems very yellow even though it's NW15 :(. I've been trying to use up an old mouse blusher. It's ok just not a colour I'd use any more and as always I used my Liz Earle bronzer.

I decided on Mac Plumful on the lips as it's a soft pink. I love this colour, especially now it's getting colder. I think it's a winter pink.

I really like how you can just see the glitter through the lashes and think it makes a change to the normal black liner.

Lately I've been getting back into using my Benefit Erase Paste. It is my favourite under eye concealer. It's so thick and just disguises those dark circles and lasts all day.

I think I need to get back into using different eye shadows for liners and using my make up more. It's so easy to get stuck in a make up rut!

Do you switch up your make up? I love finding that product I forgot about.

Love M

xxx