6 Favourites: Blushes.

L-R: Bourjois Blush Pot in Rose D'or, MAC Wonder Woman Blush in Amazon Princess, Smashbox blush in Proof Sheet, MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power, MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty & MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose.

I've done full posts on most of these products but I thought I would just do a quick post about the six blushes I've been reaching for recently. Usually it would have been 5 Favourites but I couldn't pick five!

Bourjois blush in Rose D'or is probably a blush most people have, and one which I absolutely adore. I've had a few compliments recently on this blush, not just in blog comments but in person too which is lovely. I've been told I really suit this blush so it's one that I wear most. Its a gorgeous pink with a gold iridescent glow to it. It looks really lovely on and it lasts for such a long time too. It really is that perfect natural colour.

MAC Wonder Woman Blush in Amazon Princess is also one I wear often, it's different from the pink blushes I usually wear as it's a bit brighter and also has blue/purple undertones. It only takes a small amount to look gorgeous so I can imagine it lasting a long time, it also stays on all well which is handy for wearing during the day.

Smashbox blush in Proof Sheet is another pink colour blush, but it's also leaning towards a nice coral colour. This is similar to the Bourjous Rose D'or and MAC Dainty but it doesn't have the glitter through it which makes it slightly more natural and matte. I wear this to work a lot to give me a nice glow.

MAC Fleur Power is a darker pink which I also absolutely love. It doesn't have any glitter in it, which is sometimes nice for a change, especially as you can mix and match with different highlighters. It's such a gorgeous colour, and the quality of MAC blushes is excellent. Well worth the price! This is actually the only powder blush I have by MAC that isn't mineralize (I think...) but this is probably going to change soon.

MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty is the first MAC blush I purchased and I think what began my blush buying frenzy. It's a light pink colour with a gorgeous glitter through it. I have a few light pink blushes because I think it's my natural glow anyway so I suit it best. It's also not too daring for daytime either.
Probably one of my most used blushes, it looks good on anyone.

MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose from the Limited Edition In the Groove collection that everyone went mad for. It's a nice light pink teamed with a lilac/lavender colour. I have never seen a lilac blush before, and I wouldn't ever wear the lilac alone but blended together it looks so lovely.
I've only worn this a few times, but I like it because it's not like any other colour I own.



L-R: Bourjois Blush Pot in Rose D'or, Smashbox blush in Proof Sheet & MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty.



Bottom to Top: MAC WW Blush in Amazon Princess, MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose & MAC blush in Fleur Power.

I'm a bit of a blush obsessive so I change which blush I use everyday. What are your thoughts?

Facetime.

Close up alert. I thought today I would test my Smashbox Eyelights Palette so I tried it out for work this morning. Before this, I'd never tried Smashbox eyeshadows but I don't really wear eyeshadow so that's not surprising.
I went for the typical smokey eye and I think it turned out quite well! I just had a look in the mirror and after about 9 hours it still looks pretty good! I use ELF Primer, which I love and it has kept it all in place but obviously it has creased. What can you do eh.
I love the colours of the palette, they blend together so well which is good for someone like me who doesn't often experiment with eyeshadows.

I'm also wearing:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid
L'Oreal Touche Magique Concealer
MAC Wonder Woman Blush - Amazon Princess
Topshop Highlighter - Sunbeam
Benefit Browzings
Topshop Gloss in Ablaze

The Topshop highlighter and gloss are still my absolute favourites. The highlighter is perfect for creating a nice dewy look and the gloss is amazing because it's very pigmented but a gloss so my lips don't get dried out, which happens with lipstick.
I'm still a massive fan of the Wonder Woman blush too, it's not like any of my other blushes. Anyone else have it & think it's gorgeous?

Smashbox Haul.

I recently bought quite a few things from Smashbox, which I think has some really lovely products. I bought the Publicist Powder Blush, Double Exposure Lip & Cheek Colour in Irresistible, Proof Sheet Powder Blush, Cream Eyeliner Pencil in Antique Gold and Eyelights Palette in Special Effects.
I can't stop buying blushes recently, I'm pretty sure they all look the same anyway! Such lovely pink colours, I can't wait to try them.


I just swatched the blushes on paper, but you can see the Smashing Publicist blush is a gorgeous peachy colour, and I think this is my favourite one. The Proof Sheet blush is a bit more of a rosy pink, which is nice and natural for day time & work.
The lip and cheek colour is a bit more of a coral/pink, which looks lovely on my lips. I will probably end up wearing this more of a lip tint because I tend to wear powder blushes.
It's so lightweight, it doesn't even feel like I have any lipgloss on. It doesn't feel sticky either, which is a massive pro! It's quite natural, it gives a slight pink tint to the lips rather than a full on gloss. It's also moisturising which is a plus for me as my lips are constantly chapped!

The cream eyeliner just glides on, so creamy and easy to apply. I've never worn a gold eyeliner before so it's definitely something I want to try. I always wear black eyeliner which is getting a bit old now.
I'll probably use this with the palette I bought, or maybe use it above my black liner sans eyeshadow.






I absolutely adore this little palette! It'll be so good for taking away with me when I travel. I love nude and natural colours, I'm not brave enough to wear anything too bright. I can't wait to try this on, I haven't swatched it but I'll take a picture of it on this week.
I'll use the first shade (L-R) on my brow bone, the second on my lid and the third on my eye crease.
The palette comes with a reasonable sized mirror and a little brush (which I usually throw away if its the sponge applicator but one side is a small angled brush which may be good!).
I love the Smashbox packaging, it's simple and chic. Although the rubber exterior does get really dirty but I think it can be wiped away with a wet cloth. I love the plain font, I think it's really classic.

I'd definitely recommend the Smashbox brand if you haven't tried it already, the products are amazing quality and good value. I've got a few products from Smashbox in the past and most of them I use every day.

I also got a sample of the Photofinish Primer (which I already have and love) and the High Definition Foundation which I'm excited to try. I love samples!

What are your favourite Smashbox products? Any recommendations?

5 Of the Best: Highlighters.

I think using a highlighter makes such a difference, especially as I don't have the best skin. A good highlighter will brighten dull skin, have light-reflecting pigments to cover blemishes and imperfections, and smooth over skin, hiding pores. For me, this is essential in my everyday makeup routine. 

A highlighter can brighten your overall appearance, and make tired-looking skin looking full of life. 

I'm going to introduce you to my five favourite highlighters, some of which are creams whilst others are powders. 

MAC Strobe Cream

I'm sure everyone has at least heard of this product. I use this every day, and I love how it transforms my skin. I've been using it for a few months now and I love it. MAC say "Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin" which is exactly what we want. It uses botanicals, vitamins and green tea to add some life to your skin. I use this all over my face, on top of moisturiser. Although it can be used on its own (I wish!) I always wear foundation on top, which gives me a lovely healthy glow. I've recently had a few compliments on my complexion and it's all down to this little lovely. If you don't already have this in your makeup bag, then I'd really recommend it. It doesn't make skin shine, just simply adds a subtle but gorgeous sheen.

Benefits High Beam

Ahh the famed High Beam. I can guarantee that everyone has this in their collection, it's just one of those cult products isn't it. High Beam is a "complexion enhancer" which creates "that natural, radiant glow you've always desired" say Benefit. I've been using this product for years now, and we've been through a turbulent relationship in this time but I've finally accepted this product for what it is. Whilst I use MAC Strobe Cream all over my face, High Beam is destined for those special areas you want to be noticed, such as your cheekbones, your brow bone or down your nose. I use this usually only on my brow bone, which I think works amazingly well. High Beam is quite pigmented, more so than MAC strobe cream I would say (but it is more of a pink undertone as the picture shows). I used to apply this over my foundation to my cheek bones, but I found that it didn't blend in so well with my foundation. I now use a powder for this area. Once I had worked that out, I began to see High Beam in a whole new light. 

High Beam is a lot thicker than other liquid highlighters such as Strobe Cream, and it's also quite gloopy. 

Although I do recommend this product, you really have to find out what works for you. I absolutely love High Beam just under my eyebrow to accentuate the arch but you may find other uses for this. 

Smashbox Soft Fusion Lights in Baked Stardust

This is one of the first Smashbox products I've tried and I don't think I've put it down since. Smashbox say "The illuminating formula softens the way light reflects on your skin and wakes up your complexion for a radiant look" which is what it does. I apply this to my cheekbones (sorry High Beam!) to give a subtle sheen and a lovely glow. I don't use a bronzer, but this does have a slight bronzed look to it, so this sort of is my bronzer. I can't fault this product, it's less noticeable than other powder highlighters I've tried and the 5 different colours give such a nice natural glow. I'm quite pale (NW20) and happy with that, so it's nice to have a small amount of bronze added to your face which will catch the light and brighten your appearance. 

I guess you could sweep this product around your face, but I find it works best with just a small amount on my cheeks. 

Bourjois Illuminating Touch

I've always been a massive fan of Bourjois little pots, especially their blush pots. I found this about a year ago, and it's always been something I reach for. It's more iridescent than the other highlighters i've mentioned, and a lovely natural peach colour. Although it's a bit more glittery, it gives a subtle glow which helps to sculpt the face. I think this is a bit more natural than the other highlighters. 

I'd definitely recommend this product, it goes really well with a nice pink/peach blush and really injects some glow into your skin. 

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

Okay so I know I only bought this a few days ago, but I am seriously in love. This product is so lovely and pigmented, Topshop say it is a "Shimmering silky golden highlighter to add lightness and radiance to face and body". 

I know this will become a permanent product in my life, the lovely golden colour is gorgeous and it really does give you a gorgeous glow. I use this along my cheekbones and on my temples, but it can be used all over the body - on the collarbones or around your cleavage. 

This looks amazing on my slightly pale skin, but I know it will look lovely in the summer with a tan as well. 

If you don't already have this, you really need this in your life. 

So there is my 5 Best Highlighters, let me know what you think. I'm thinking about making this a regular feature so if you want to suggest something for me to review, I'd definitely be up for it. 

In other news, I'm selling two of my favourite dresses on ebay, which can be found here. 

Last nights FOTD.

Last night we decided to go out for some drinks in Leeds, so I thought I'd put up some pictures of my outfit & makeup.
I basically just wore the same outfit as yesterday, the peter pan collared crop top and black bodycon skirt, but put my cameo necklace on and some lovely Topshop heart suspenders.

I got them a while ago, probably in October/November but I love them! I don't like the Henry Holland suspender tights because I think they look odd (why the three suspender straps?!) but these are so cute.
I also added some eyeshadow from my Too Faced Natural Eye Palette and a touch of Topshop Brighton Rock lipstick.

MAC Studio Fix foundation 

L'oreal Touche Magique concealer

MAC Strobe Cream

Topshop Blush in Pinch

Smashbox Soft Fusions Highlighter

Benefit Brow Zings

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette 

MAC Prolong Lash

Rimmel Liner 

Nude Beach on my brow bone. 

Honey Pot on lid. 

Cocoa Puff on crease. 

And obviously my homemade studded leather jacket! 

Planning on doing absolutely nothing today! I love sundays. 

Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Midnight Black

I was lucky enough to get a lovely little Smashbox present (all the way from America) from my boyfriend. I had run out of my usual liquid eyeliner, so it was great when he got me a little pot of gel-based eyeliner (which I've wanted to try for so long). To clear this up, his usual presents are fridge magnets and oversized tshirts which live in my pyjama draw, I guess he had been speaking to the consultant at the counter or something. 

I was eager to try this, and dug out my MAC 209 brush especially for the occasion. I'd never used a gel-based eyeliner before so I wasn't sure what to expect. 

Upon opening the product, it was quite tough on top. I wasn't expecting the eyeliner to be so viscous, and knew I was going to have some problems doing my eyeliner flicks with this liner. 

It was basically solid, and I had to dig into it to get some of the product on to my brush. I carefully applied it to my upper lid, which was no easy task. It went on quite thick and cakey, and because it was quite dry I couldn't blend it. 

Smashbox say the product "stays blendable for 60 seconds then dries to a smudge-proof, budge-proof finish that lasts all day"

My flicks on the outer corner of my eyelid were actually impossible, the product was far too dry and viscous to use! So i got my 209 brush and dug under the top layer (as you can tell, my pot is a mess...) and it was actually a bit more gel-like underneath. I was able to use this as an actual eyeliner, and it didn't look like I'd applied it with a shovel. 

As you can see from the swatches, it is a bit more blend-able now that I've pillaged the pot. Overall, this eyeliner was a bit of a let down. I expected big things from it, considering it was Smashbox and it came all the way from America. I might try leaving this in a warmer place, in an attempt to make it a bit more liquid and therefore, manageable. I'm not going to give up on gel liner, but I may try a different brand. 
Have any of you experienced any problems with gel liners? What are your thoughts?