Stop! You're Making Me Blush

Hello

A bit of a quirky title today, non? Well if you couldn't guess today I am talking about blush and how to find the best one for you. Are you a pink or a nude kinda girl? Matte or shimmer? Cream or powder? Gel or Mousse? 

I'm basically going to talk about the variety of blush products I own and their pros and cons for different skin types. So if that sounds good to you, read on!

Let's start with with the basic of basics; just a powder matte blush. I have a bunch of these. My favourites include Sleek Flamingo and Life's A Peach and No7 Honey. If you've read any of the numerous posts in which I've talked about my Honey blush you will know just how much I love it and that I have majorly hit pan and need to repurchase!

Powder blushes are good for women with normal to oily skin types because they do a good job of absorbing oil and so wont slip around your face therefore turning you into a lop-sided clown. Nobody wants that. The benefits of powder blushes are that they give a more natural look - a subtle tint shall we say - and they are easy to apply to the skin so you are a lot less likely to go over board and again end up looking like a clown (no offence to the clowns of this world).

Cons, however, are that the colour doesn't last as long as say, a cream or liquid formula and if it does last, it may change slightly depending on the oiliness of your skin. 

You can pretty much get hold of most colour blushes but the main shades are pinky/peachy/rosy colours and a good all round palette for those with a budget I find, is the Body Collection Dusy Pink blush set (see below). I really like this and I picked it up in Scotland for less than £5 - bargain. 

You can also pick up shimmery powder compacts such as my MUA blush in shade 5. 

(on my nails I am wearing Bourjois gel polish in beige distinction with a London cosmetics clear glitter top coat)

If you are going to wear a shimmer on your cheeks it is best if you do not have oily skin or else you will just highlight the oiliness and it, uh, wont look good to say the least. Each to their own however and if you think you can pull it off then go for it. 

Next up is one of the most popular blush types these days and that is acream formula, for this I only have the one product which is Romancefrom No7. I'll admit that I am fairly new to creamy products and I haven't used this too much but I really do like the application and how easily you can blend. So far so good. 

A cream blush is best for women with normal to dry skin due to its hydrating qualities and it will also stick better to a non-oily skin type. 

Benefits are of course the hydration, the easiness of blending, long lasting and the pretty glowing finish. 

The disadvantage is that it is slightly less easy to apply subtly. 

Now lets combine the two and discuss Bourjois's cream to powder blush.  

I really like the packaging of this and the shades are super cute. The product itself is just like a cream blush in the container but once it's on the skin it is a lot more powdery and therefore carries the qualities of a powder. My only advice for this product is be accurate with your application because once it's on it is hard to blend out. All in all, though, this is a very good product which would suit normal/combination skin.

With only two remaining categories (for me anyhow since I have no experience with liquid tints or cheek stains) I would like to talk about my favourite. The mousse blush. I am a big fan of the Maybelline DreamMousse range, particularly their blush and foundation. I do, however, currently only own the blush which is fantastic. 

A mousse blush is similar to a cream but a lot lighter and very easy to blend. You definitely do not need a lot of product on your brush or finger to get noticeable coverage. I would recommend this to women with normal/dry skin because on an oily surface this would melt away and look terrible. 

Pros are definitely blending, lightness and lasting power but cons are that it is too easy to go OTT and it doesn't work for oily skin. 

I forgot to take this one on my little trip to the outdoors for photographing. Oops!

Anndddd finally we have the gel formula. Everything seems to have a gel version these days; eye liner, foundation, eye shadow, blush, lip products. The whole darn lot. I guess it must be pretty good, eh? 

Well I think so anyway. 

I do love my gel blush from coty (which I cannot seem to find anywhere on the internet or in town so where did my auntie find this for me?!) in shade 01 Highlighter. Most gel blushers come in little tubes where you just squirt some onto your hand and blend onto the skin using your finger. It looks radiant and glowing. Beautiful! It is off course suitable for normal and dry skin but I think it could work on oily skin too so long as your skin is not overly oily. 

The pros are that is looks good and is easy to apply and the only con I can think of is that it may not work well on oily skin types. 

So which blush is for you? Which is your favourite? I hope this helped you decide. 

Until next time
xx 

My Current Beauty Favourites

Hello

Today I'm trying out something new! I have for you my current beauty favourites. I haven't done a 'favourites' post before so I hope you enjoy!

Another Illamasqua edit.

I will include a reliable link for every product so that should you like the sound of it, you can try it too. 

Let's start with the biggest of them all and by far my favourite-ist (nope, that's not a word. I made it up). Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash. I. Love. This. Smell. Sometimes I just take of the lid and sniff, it's an addiction almost like drugs. Not drugs though - I don't and never will condone the use of drugs nor do I use any substances not prescribed by my doctor for medicinal purposes. Anyway, getting back on track I really like everything about this product, from packaging (cute and quirky as ever) through scent and price, to how it works. It leaves me feeling clean and fresh. 

Moving out of the shower, I have two moisturisers I've been loving over the past couple of months; first a fantastic facial moisturiser. I have shopped my stash and rediscovered my Clinique dramatically different moisturising gel. It's hard to find since the release of the dramatically different +, but I do love it so all the same. It is super hydrating and a good primer for under foundation. I used it on my poor burnt face during our British heat wave and it worked a treat. Yipee. 

Also I have got into the routine of doing a full body moisturise after I get out of the shower. I tried a couple of products but my favourite is definitely the Soap & Glory Butter Yourself five fruits super rich smoothing body cream. This also smells divine and I find it to be such a good body butter for my skin. Me likes a lot. 

The final moisturising product in my favourites is my beloved vibrant cherry lib butter from Marks & Spencer. I've had this for a while and mainly carried it to school but since leaving school in May I have just rediscovered it. I'm almost out but for now it's my top lip product!

Next up I have been enjoying my real techniques makeup brushes (thank you for these perfect tools Sam Chapman!), the crease brush and buffing brush in particular. If you haven't tried these already then do so right now right here. Go on! You know you want to. 

You may have figured out by now that I am a makeup junkie. I may not have the money to splash out on big brands or buy a lotta products but over the years my collection has more than doubled in size. Let me tell you about some of the things from my collections I have been loving recently so much that they have made it to my favourites...

To start us of it will come as no surprise to you to find my BourjoisHealthy Mix Serum gel foundation in here because in my review I raved about it enough! To read more click here. I have been loving Bourjois on the cheeks as well this month in the form of the cream to powder formula blush shade 02. This is a lovely peachy orange colour which I think is just so pretty.

I have been wearing a nude lip pretty much every day recently and my top two products are my MUA lipstick in shade 16 (nectar) paired with my Collection 2000 love your lips lip gloss in shade 2 (delight). I really like how this looks on my lips and it goes perfectly with the Bourjois blush. 

I feel like this has been a very long post today but only two products remaining, both of which are for the eyes! My mascara which I have been using non stop for its non-clump and super curl qualities is actually a cheapy little thing from a brand called Evie Mae in brown.. It came as part of a vanity kit (which you can pick up from eBay here) from a fundraiser catalog a few years ago when I thought nothing of it. Now, though, I am really regretting not using it more earlier on. 

I have also done a little 'shop my stash' and rediscovered my No7 define & shimmer eye palette which contains four silky looking autumn colours all of which are beautiful on the eye.

 I particularly love the chocolate brown either in the crease or all over the lid. The best part about this product is that I got it free when I bought a No7 mascara. This is no longer available from Boots but you can find it on eBay. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and it wasn't just me rambling on about some makeup I like. I really recommend each product mentioned today and I hope you will try some out for yourself and enjoy the just as much. 

If you have a blog or YouTube channel and have uploaded your monthly/current favourites then leave me the link in the comments so I can take a look. 

Until next time
xx

Good Summer Skin!

Hello

Prepare yourself for some crazy editing now; I've been testing out some of Illamasqua's - yes, the beauty brand - overlays and borders. They have collaborated with Pixlr to create some pretty cool stuff. Check it out and let me know what you think of my edits. 

In my boudoir (ooh fancy!), my bed is position on the wall opposite my wardrobe which in turn means I am opposite a full length mirror. As I sit here writing this post I am glancing at the mirror and feeling proud of my skin. In the past month I have been trying so hard to do right by my skin and to restore its good health. I feel I have successfully accomplished this, even if I'm not at the end of my mission just yet. 

When I was younger I had really good skin but then, as with every other teenager I know, my hormones took over and for a good couple of years I've gone through breakouts, blackheads, dry skin, oily skin, dehydrated skin, redness, scarring and rashes. Eurghhh. Whatta nightmare! I am happy to say I am finally over that and I am on the road to soft and smooth. In this post I want to share a couple of tips and tricks that have worked for me. Basically the products I have been using to achieve good skin. 

SO, I'll be honest. I did go a couple of weeks completely makeup free to let my skin breathe and to keep my pores as clean and unclogged as possible. I know that some of you don't wear makeup at all and some of you wont want to step outside without all your war paint on - yes, you know who you are best friend of mine. Sometimes you just have to let your skin have some time to restore itself and to do this you have to be brave and steer clear of the foundation, concealer (maybe a little concealer is ok), bronzer, blush, contour, highlight, powder etc etc. 

Yep, you see, when you make a list you notice just how much you are piling on to your skin of a daily basis. Too much. 

If you really want some coverage I recommend using a good BB cream with all in one benefits - e.g. conceals, moisturises and more. There are so many to choose from, some better than others, I use (purely for lack of money to spend on the high end ones) Rimmel 9 in 1 which you can buy here. 

Next make sure you wash your face every single day. I know this is something everyone knows about but I know, because I am one of them, that some people are too lazy and just don't make the effort. Do you take your makeup of with wipes? DON'T! You are making a big mistake. Stick to makeup remover or a good cleanser. 

I have recently discovered the Olay essentials daily facial cloths for sensitive skin. All you have to do is hold them under the tap for a couple of second, rub together to lather and wipe them over your face. Rinse with either a cloth or your hands and you're good to go. A lazy girls way of refreshing yourself or taking of your makeup. Perfect for me!

Exfoliate. You might be a bit scared to exfoliate, think it'll break you out? Yeah maybe it will, but it's good to bring out all the dirt from under your skin and the breakout wont be major and it will disappear as long as you continue to care for your skin. Don't be afraid to exfoliate. I have been using the Soap & Glory The Greatest Scrub of All which is fantastic - and often sold out so grab it when you can. I use it three times a week in the shower, you only need a tiny amount for your whole face and it cleans up your skin. 

Before I picked up that scrub from S&G I was using the Cyclax nature pure apricot facial scrub (from my local chemist) every other day and it really helped my skin. I still use it in the shower on the days when I don't use my exfoliator. I love this product so much. I will definitely be needing to repurchase this soon. 

Cleanse twice a day. I know it's hard if you get up late and you're in a rush, or you're going to bed late and can't be bothered with a full routine but do it is important to make the effort to cleanse twice a day. Morning and night. I have been using my No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle cleanser as soon as I get out of bed in the morning and to remove my makeup at night, or for the days when I wear no makeup I do it purely to cleanse my pores.

I find that if I keep my cleanser out on show, on a dressing table for example, rather than in my cupboard then I am more likely to use it. 

After I cleanse I have two different routines for morning and evening...

Morning

I use Boots Botanics rosewater toning spritz to freshen up my skin, followed by my No7 Essential Moisture Day Fluid OR my preferredClinique dramatically different moistuising gel - highly recommend.

Evening

I use my No7 Soft & Smooth Gentle Toner followed by my Olay double-action night cream which claims to nourish and regenerate. I find both of these products very hydrating which is important when looking after your skin. 

That's pretty much everything I've been doing/using recently to produce smooth, clear skin and I'm really happy. All products mentioned are cheap and cheerful and have proved to work for me. I wish you good luck in achieving great skin and for those who never have this problem, I envy you greatly!

Until next time
xx 

No7 Beginner MakeUp Bag

Hello

So this was sort of a blog request but I'm making a little change. Today I want to talk to you about makeup for beginners and the best products to use. Even now after testing Rimmel, Bourjois and Maybelline I still think No7 is the best for beginners.

Let me run you through what I think should be inside a younger persons makeup bag and why.

Essentially Natural foundation - A liquid mineral foundation. This was my first foundation and I still love it. It is not too harsh and gives a natural, good coverage without being too heavy. I think this makes it the perfect base for a teenager or beginner to makeup. 

There a lot of different foundations from this brand but from the ones I have tested most of them don't have too good a coverage so this one is great. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Maybe you wont need a powder if you have dry skin already but if you prefer to set your makeup or have oil/combination skin which leaves you shiny, without a doubt this is the powder you need. Get it in translucent if you all you need is a setting powder or in a skin colour to add tone to your face.

Brown Exceptional Definition Mascara - I say brown because it is a much nicer colour for a younger persons face. It is natural but defined, less harsh and much more attractive. I also love the three way applicator which gives you a variety of looks to opt for. This mascara does not clump so it's perfect for a young look. 

Natural Blush Tint Powder - This gives a lovely warm, natural glow to the cheek so is perfect if you're just starting out. A good natural look is best for beginners but if you don't want to, you don't have to be subtle, the colours you choose and how much you build up the layers affects your finished look so don't be put of by me constantly saying 'natural' if you're after something more bold. 

Stay Perfect Eye Shadow Trio - Unless you work in beauty or fashion or you're a makeup junkie like myself you really don't need to wear eye shadow on a daily basis, I rarely wear it at all but for special occasions and outings. A successful eye look takes a lot of practice but for those who want to jump in there or if you want something special for an occasion this eye colour trio is perfect. My personal favourite is 'Cappuccino' and I love the colours from 'Organza' and 'Beside the sea'. Retailing at £9.50 this is a good addition to anybody's makeup bag for a quick and easy yet gorgeous look. 

Natural Collection Wild Strawberry Lip Gloss - Now, at a young age you don't want to be wearing a lip stick (although if you do I suggest MUA or Calvin Klein) so a gloss adds the perfect finish to an every day look. For a cheap glossy shine I would go with a lip gloss from Natural Collection, or for something more high end but still affordable I would definitely go for a Benefit gloss such as THIS one. 

Extras

So there you have the main products for your makeup bag but what about extras?

For tools I would go with Real Techniques every single time. They are fanastic and last a long time! You can pick them up from Boots. 

For eye liner a gel is always best, try the SEVENTEEN Smoulder Gel Liner. 

For eye brows the Smashbox Brow Tech To Go is fantastic, however, I'm not a fan of the coloured in eye brows, especially on the younger generation. A natural shape looks so much better. If you really feel you need some filling in then try and go lightly. 

So there you go, now please do remember this is purely based on my first make up products and is only No7 products (excluding the extras). I will do another post like this soon on different products and make up looks I think are best for teens or beginners. 

Also I am sorry there are no pictures in this boring post but I don't own enough of these products anymore to photograph them and I do prefer my own photos than ones from the internet. 

Until next time

xx