Autumn Lip Options No.3 : Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Berry Much

When I have been feeling a super matte, dark lip, this has been my lipstick of choice.

As you can see, the Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick comes in the form of a pencil, which has it's uses but I think I would rather it just came as a normal lipstick in a bullet.

The colour is a very dark berry, which right now I am obsessed with- it's so striking but surprisingly wearable.

I've been enjoying pairing it with super shimmery bronze lids, warm pink cheek and a flawless base.

This is a matte lipstick so it is fairly long lasting as well and quite comfortable on the lips.

The idea of this is that it can be used as a lip liner and lipstick in one. It can perform both purposes- but it means it has to be super sharp every time you use it, which means you have to sharpen it a lot- which is another thing I'm not mad keen on as I find things get a little wasteful.

I prefer lining my lips with Urban Decays Venom and putting this all over the top.

This is such a great lipstick that I have been enjoying wearing, it's fun to do full on vampy lips! I do like the formula- I don't think it's the best out there as sometimes it can wear away at bit in the centre of my lower lip, but it's very easy to reapply- it never flakes and its not overly drying either.

If you would like to see the other Autumnal lip options, click here and here. 

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Maybelline The Eraser Eye Concealer

If you read this post, you will be aware that I have tried a vast amount of under eye concealers in my time, and out of the many, there are only a couple that I would repurchase.
As you can see, my tube of  Maybelline The Eraser Eye is nearly finished, so would I repurchase?
The simple answer, is no.
I enjoy the application of this concealer- I like the sponge it comes with, I like the wind up mechanism as it gives you so much control of how much product comes out and I like that mechanism assures that you get to use up every last drop of product.
The consistency is thin and very flight reflective, so if I want a very natural highlight- this works well enough and that's what I tend to use it for, but when it comes to the matter of actually covering my dark circles, I am afraid it does not deliver.

I can still see the purple/blue shadows underneath the concealer- they have improved, but definitely still there. I find it worse on the inner corners of my eyes by the bridge of my nose, that's where I have most of the darkness and this concealer nowhere near covers them.
It is so liquidy that it takes some time to set, it doesn't sink into fine liners- perhaps if you have dry skin and or are more mature, it might suit you fine, but I found straight under my eyes it kept bunching up and I had to keep going back to blend it in.
The formula moves quite a lot and powdering doesn't really help.
I have tried powdering immediately, but it still bunches up under the eyes, the same happens if I wait to powder at the end of my make up.
Furthermore, the powder can stick to the concealer, making things look pretty cakey, which is obviously not the look I am going for.

Bottom Line : I think if you don't have bad dark circles, this may work for you, but for me, even though I enjoy its brightening effect, its not quite hardcore enough. I also don't like that powder sometimes sticks to it.

I wish there was a high street/afforable concealer that I loved! Any recommendations? 

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Shopping my Stash : Bobbi Brown Berry Blush

This little blush has been somewhat neglected over the past few months. Its just been sat gathering dust so I thought it was time to dig it out and make a point of using it again. 

The name doesn't lie folks, this is a berry shade- it's very intense and incredibly pigmented as well and I think that's why I haven't been reaching for it. 

However, 95% of my blush stash is of a peachy pink nature so I felt it was time to dig this little guy out as it has Autumn written all over it.

This is the most pigmented blush I own- without fail. It's quite intimidating actually. For those with deeper skin tones, this will look beautiful on you and I doubt you will have the same application issues as I do.
Even if I lightly sweep my finger across the surface of the blush, I am left with a fully opaque berry mark on my finger and you cannot simply brush it off.
The swatch below was only one or two swipes off the surface and my oh my, it does not wipe off. I couldn't just rub it off, I had to whack out the micellars.
If I am in a rush, this is too finicky to do in a hurry, but if I take my time, this is so beautiful.
I tend to use my Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder brush (which I am not mad keen on, but it serves it's purpose well here) and I very, VERY carefully dot my brush into the powder and tap off the excess on my hand. Even if you can't see any product on the brush, just trust me, it is there.

I then carefully and strategically, apply it to the apples of my cheeks in slow, small circular motions, blending outwards. It's not one of those blushes where you can swirl and go- you have to take your time.
If I do not apply in this way, I end up with bright red cheeks that aren't going anywhere. Once I have over applied, blending becomes redundant as this colour does not shift.
However, when I do it right-  it's beautiful. You know that look when you have been walking around outside on a cold day and your cheeks have that real genuine pink/red tone to them? This blush creates that, so when it is done well, it just gives such an English rose appearance to the skin.
It is matte as well so I think it would work beautifully as an eye shadow. I also think it was made in order to be paired with this Charlotte Tilbury lipstick.
I will make a conscious effort to use this more regularly from now on. It's too pretty to be left to collect dust.

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Currently Loving...

I try to shake up my make up quite regularly as I don't really like being stuck in a rut. but I noticed whilst putting on my make up this morning, that I have been reaching for these items almost daily.
So, without further ado...

Liz Earle Cream Blush in Blossom : Does any one know if this is discontinued? It's my favourite product from the entire LE line so I will be pretty gutted if that is the case. It's just my perfect cream blush, for a full review, click here. Also peeps, if this has gone, do you know of any dupes?

Nars Laguna Bronzer : What a cult product hey? Its a medium brown shade with a subtle gold shimmer throughout which never translates as obvious or chunky on the skin. I love applying it with my Bobbi Brown Bronzer brush to add a authentic warmth to my skin. I seem to go in waves of using this, but right now its my fave.

Mac Fluid Line in Blacktracks : I am clearly in a old school mood huh? I have had this for quite a while now so I was pretty certain it had all dried up - its 18 months old but it's still in perfect condition! I'm loving the thick opacity of gel eyeliners right now and this bad boy has some serious staying power. I use my real techniques eye liner brush to add a slim line and little flick to the top of my upper lashline. If smokes out really well so when I am not feeling the harsh look, I blend some eye shadow over top with a pencil brush and I am left with a soft smokey flick. I've used this daily and I won't be changing my ways anytime soon. I've missed you eyeliner.

Yves Saint Laurent Elle Eau de Parfum : Although I love to switch my fragrances up, if I were to have one signature scent, it would be this without fail. I have no idea how many of these I have got through in my time but it is a classic that I always come back to.
With notes of Patchouli, this is a woody and slightly spicy fragrance that has some real depth to it. There is a a floral element to it that stops it from being too heavy, but only a touch. It is very sophisticated and such a unique fragrance. I really cannot stand over the top floral fragrances as they make headachey. This is as 'floral' as I go.

Laura Geller Baked Eye Shadow Stripes in Plum Torte : This trio contains one white highlight, a bronze shimmer and a indigo shade. As pretty as this is to use on the eye, I have actually been using the white shade as a cheek highlight and it is glorious.
This baked white highlight produces the most incredible sheen on the cheek- it is so light catching but due to it being a baked product, it looks so natural and there is no glitter in sight.
I know Laura does a highlight duo which I may have to pick up because this is totally my favourite highlight right now. I dip my fan brush in and dust it on the high points of my face. This doesn't look white or obvious on the skin, it just captures light like nobodies business.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara : I have had this sample for a while now but for some reason I never gave it a proper go.
The brush on this is really quite big - it is a thick, long bristle brush - perhaps it was that which put me off, but I love it. It builds up volume super fast which I really appreciate as layering endless coats of mascara first thing in the morning isn't ideal. This creates very thick black lashes. I love it and when it runs out I will pick up the full size.

Essie Nail Polish in Chillato : I just can't get enough of Essie at the moment. This is part of their summer collection and I just had to pick it up. It's very unique in my nail polish collection, it is a pastel lime green, I have pastel mints a plenty, but a lime version is such an interesting addition. I have repainted this countless times.

What are your current favourites?

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Urban Decay Diamond Dog : Swatch and Review

I have had this little guy for a while now, but I wanted to give it a good go before writing a review.

This Urban Decay single is from the Moondust line which are a range of eye shadows that are pressed glitter pigments. They feel almost wet when you touch them, but they go on as a powder.

Diamond Dog contains a super sparkly white gold glitter which is suspended in a deep brown base.

This is so beautiful and incredibly eye catching, but it can be quite tricky to apply, so after trying different methods I think I have somewhat got it down.

I primed my lids with Urban Decays Primer Potion and then dabbed my Mac 239 into the shadow and patted onto my lids. I was already thinking attempting this with a dry brush would be a disaster, and low and behold it was. Fall Out City.
The shadow did cling to the brush well, but the moment I patted it onto my lids,  my cheeks were FULL of glitter particles and due to the pressed nature of this shadow, the glitter is very sticky so no amount of brushing off with a clean powder brush helps. This.Stuff.Sticks.
If I was getting ready for a night out I would have been pretty irritated as I had to actually wipe off the glitter with a cotton pad soaked with micellar water so I ended up removing my make up underneath. Yes you could apply your foundation after, but still, this stuff falls out like mad if you use a dry brush.
I then attempted to apply it with a brush that I had sprayed with water and then dipped into the shadow and then I pressed gently onto the lid- the colour is so beautiful, but I did experience some fall out- not as much, but some. 

I have also applied with a finger tip which I think limits most of the fall out, but I just couldn't get the pigment to be as intense on the lids as I did with a damp brush. 

Bottom Line : This is a beautiful eye shadow but it is not without its problems.
When applied with a damp brush, I get maximum pigment, but some fall out is inevitable. There isn't a lot, but it is there and due to how incredibly sparkly it is, if I were to go out in the day with this on, it would be pretty damn noticeable. A finger limits the fall out further, but the colour doesn't show up as intensely.
I will one hundred percent use this, the sparkle is so damn pretty and I love layering it over bronze cream eye shadows, but I reckon I will use it for nights out as it doesn't last as long as other eye shadows I have- when I wore this all day, I did notice fall out on my cheeks by the end of wear.

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Autumn Lip Options no.2 : Mac Plumful

If you read last weeks post on Charlotte Tilburys Love Liberty Lipstick, you will know I am really embracing the Autumn shades right now. 

When I am not in a berry mood or when I want something a little less intense, I have been reaching for Macs Plumful, as it is such an easy shade to pull off.

Plumful is described as a 'rose plum' so it sits on the neutral side of plum- it's not overly purple so it can be worn with pretty much every eye look as it has that rose base.

Plumful is part of the 'Lustre' range, if you are not familiar with the different range, lustre finishes are a very comfortable, balmy formula with a decent pigmentation and a slight sheen to them. 

I find this lipstick to be fairly long lasting and it really perks up the complexion.

Of course this can be worn all your round- as all lipsticks should be, I don't think you should ever feel like you have to limit yourself when the seasons change- if you wanna rock a neon orange in the depths of winter- then go for it! But I think if you want a autumnal shade that is not too in your face but adds that slight plummyness, this is such a lovely lipstick to go for.
This is the only Mac lipstick I own in the Lustre finish- what shades do you think I should add to my shopping list?

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Disappointing Products Part 1 : Skincare

Hello Everyone, as you can see from above, I have amassed a hell of a lot of disappointing products. I didn't even realise how many I had until I emptied them all out. I have split them up into catagories otherwise this post would go on for ever! 

Part 1 is Skincare, and the rest shall be up over the next few weeks. 

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water : When I couldn't see my favourite Serozonic  in the aisles of Boots, I picked this up instead. 

This just did nothing for me, I know it's only a thermal water so it's not exactly full of life saving ingredients, but I feel like I would have got the same result for 7 quid cheaper by just splashing my face with tap water. It also made my skin feel a little dry.
I don't see the point in this, but Serozinc, is fantastic. 

Avene Thermal Spring Water : I have the exact same criticism! I liked that this was little and handbag size, but again it did nothing and made my skin feel even dryer than the LRP offering.

The Body Shop Pomegranate Softening Cream Cleanser : I know I appear to be bashing The Body Shop in the post- but they do have 2 products that are actually Holy Grail Status - The Camomile Cleansing Oil and the incredible Hemp Hand Protector. 

I hadn't tried a cream cleanser for a while so I picked this up on a whim but it just stung and burnt my skin.

I knew the moment I smelt it I was taking a risk - it has quite a strong artificial fragrance and I just knew my skin wouldn't like it.

Low and behold it burnt my skin, I did use it a few times to see if my skin was just having a off day, but nope, I can't get on with the fragrance. 

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask : I know I know, this has a proper cult following so I am probably one of the only people who didn't like this! 

It's not awful- it has a lovely peachy scent, absorbs nicely into the skin and it does add some moisture, but that's about it.

I have pretty much used the entire thing up so I have given it a good go, but it's not particularly hydrating so I am disappointed. Its nowhere near 'Intensive'. If you are looking for an alternative, try the Egyptian Magic Cream, it hydrates, heals and clears. 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil : I gave this a real good go yonks ago and was using it nightly for a few months. It wasn't awful- it didn't irritate my skin or cause me to break, but I didn't see or feel any difference in my skin come morning. It was only when I started using the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil that I realised how hydrating some oils could be. After getting into Kiehls, I totally stopped using this.

The Body Shop Aloe Lip Treatment : I bought this after Essie Button raved about how it miraculously cured her chapped lips in an instant. I used to suffer from chronically dry lips so I picked this up a while ago and to be honest...I really, really don't like it.
I found the texture to be quite greasy and it just lay on top of the lips and hence it didn't actually moisturize or 'treat' them. If anything, I think it just dried them out more.
After discovering Nuxe reve de miel, I haven't looked back. 

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Worth The Hype : Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow

This is the most beautiful thing in my entire make up stash. I am sure many of you have already heard about Charlotte Tilburys Filmstar Bronze and Glow, but for those who haven't, this a contour/bronzer and highlighting kit. This wins the award for the most beautifully packaged product. Sometimes I just take it out of my Muji unit and just stare at it...I'm not even joking.  

This compact is fairly weighty with a rose gold casing. Just heaven.

Anyway, aside from being a beautiful thing, the important question is- does it work? At £49, it needs to be good. 

You may well have guessed from the title, but this is well and truly worth the hype. I feel excited every single time I use it.

Lets starts with the Contour shade. The interesting thing about this is that this actually works as a designated contour AND bronzer. Classic shadowy contours such as Kevyns Aucoins have a very cool ashy tone to them to create a shadow, which they do fantastically, but that is their sole purpose. You would look very ill if you attempted to bronze up your face with Aucoins offering.
The opposite tends to be true with bronzers, for example the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer which  creates a gorgeous warmth to the skin, but would look incredibly fake as a contour.

Charlotte somehow manages to have created a shade that works for both...this is a pricey item, but the way I see it, this is kind of three products in one...that's my justification folks. 

The contour shade contains a faint shimmer- which doesn't translate to the skin so it does not affect the contour, I assume it is there to help blending and also to add some warmth if you are going to use it all over the face.
I always take this away with me as I can contour the cheeks and than dust this all over the skin. It's so smooth, easy to blend and looks natural on the skin.  

L-R : Contour and Highlight

The highlight shade is a golden champagne which gives such a lovely glow to the skin, but I would advise using this with caution. My favourite brush to use is my Smashbox Fan Brush as I find other brushes pick up too much product and this stuff is very pigmented so an over application can look a little obvious. But hey if that's your thing you will love this anyway!

For me, I love a glow so a dusting with my fan brush is all I need, but its nice to know that you can build it up if you so desire.

Bottom Line : The Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow is one hundred percent worth the hype. The packaging is beautiful, it comes with a large mirror, the contour somehow manages to double up as a natural looking contour and bronzer whilst the highlight adds such a lit from within glow. I adore this and even though I have used it tonnes- I am nowhere near hitting pan.

Gorgeous. Thank you Charlotte.

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My Top Ten Brushes

When I went away last week, I tried my hardest to scale my brushes down, so this post is half favourite brushes and half the brushes I take away with me. I have to say after taking pictures, I realized that there are a couple that on the whole I prefer (which I have written below) but these are the ones I take away with me as a lot of them are multipurpose. 

Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face : This is a great little multi-tasker so I always take this away with me. On the whole I prefer applying foundation with my fingers but some formulas do need a brush to help buff them in.
This brush is very soft, travel sized and is my favourite brush for blending foundation in seamlessly in no time.
I also use it to blend in cream products whether that be bronzer/blusher, but especially my Smashbox Contour Sticks  as not only does it work them in well, but it is small enough to blend in a contour without smearing it all over my face.

Real Techniques Setting Brush : I use this for concealer- again not all the time because I think with some concealer formulas you really need the warmth of your fingers to help blend in, but with my Urban Decay Concealer, when I do my upside triangles, this does a great job of blending without wiping away the coverage I have created or disturbing my foundation underneath. I need to pick up another one of these, its fab. 

Charlotte Tilbury Blush Brush : This is my favourite Blush Brush when it comes to working with sheerer blushes. Its the only brush I use for my Nars and Clinique blushes as they are not as crazy pigmented, so this helps to pick up that extra bit of product as the bristles are fairly dense. It's fairly soft as well, which is a bonus.

Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush : This brush is great for contouring and highlighting (although it can pick up too much highlight so I have to tap off the excess), but I use it mostly to set the concealer under my eyes. To be honest, I often use it for everything, including blusher (If my CT blusher brush is dirty) as it is so small and tapered than you can get a really precise application. This is a real workhorse so I think it would fit most peoples needs. 

I have to say though if we are solely talking powder contour, then my Mac 168 is my absolute favourite as it really carves out the cheek bones whilst diffusing the edges, making everything look natural. 

I would have included that here, but I couldn't justify taking another brush away me when this brush is so multi functional. 

 Real Techniques Duo Fibre Brush : This is my favourite brush of all time. If I were only allowed to keep one face brush- this would be it.
It is soft, never picks up too much product, has many uses, washes like a dream, dries V quickly and manages to bounce back every time I squish it in my make up bag.
I use this for a fine dusting of powder, whether that be under my eyes or all over. You will never get a heavy, powdery look with this brush.
This works brilliantly at applying and diffusing bronzer- the brush is tapered so I can turn the brush on the side to blend out powder contour as well.
Even though this brush is larger, I use it for my more pigmented and creamy blushes as well, for example my Charlotte Tilbury blushes. It just makes them look so seamless on the skin.
This brush is very affordable - it comes in a three set which is priced at £23.99.
I don't use the other brushes a whole lot, but it is worth picking up for this brush alone.

Smashbox Fan Brush : I use this with my powder highlights- my super pigmented ones anyway, such as The Balms Mary Lou- Manizer and Kevyn Aucoins Starlight.

I don't want to look metallic or glittery and this fan brush picks up just enough product and applies a very light layer to the skin with precision. 

Mac 217 : I'm sure you all knew this little brush would make an appearance! If I am after a wash of colour all over the lid, this brush comes in handy, but it is my favourite crease brush for blending out powder eye shadows as somehow it helps me create that almost feline eye. I use it flat to deposit the colour in the crease and then I tun it on the side to blend out and it helps to diffuse my eye shadow upwards and outwards.

Mac 239 : This is my favourite brush for packing shadow onto the lid, it is fairly stiff and not as fluffy as the 217 so you can get a precise, dense application of shadow.

Liz Earle Blend and Contour Brush : I absolutely adore this brush. I use for a sheer wash of colour all over the lid but it is my favourite brush for blending out cream eye shadow. For a full review, click here.

Real Techniques Accent Brush : This is such a robust little brush I always take it with me. I use it to add my inner corner highlight and to clear up the mascara smudges on my eye lids as it is so tiny it applies the product exactly where I need it.

I also use it to smoke out my lower lash line.  I do prefer using my Mac pencil brush for that purpose as it is larger, but as this performs several functions, I took this instead. 

What are you're favourite brushes? 

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Urban Decay Naked Concealer

I actually featured this in a post a while ago that I have since removed as the pictures were blurry so I thought it was about time I did a proper designated review!

In a nutshell I would say this has Holy Grail status. 

Just a note on shades though as I feel they are very limited, I had quite a tough time picking one out. I have the shade Light Neutral which suits me fine, but when I am a tanned it is a bit too fair but the shade up doesn't really work. If you are interested in this concealer, it is probably best to try in person.
I use this under my eyes and I have tried a hell of a lot of concealers in my time-  more than any other product because my under eye darkness is the bane of my life.
The shadows aren't awful, but for some reason I find them so hard to cover up.
Out of the mass that I have tried, this is definitely the best. 

I love the applicator on this, you can see it is quite a long doe foot that picks up quite a lot of product so one dip in the tube provides enough product, I apply this in a upside down triangle under my eyes and what is left on the tube I use down the centre of my face to highlight.
There is a good amount of coverage and it does do a great job of concealing my shadows without making me look cakey (providing that my eye area is prepped properly with eye cream).
I tried the Nars Creamy Concealer a while ago and I found is so incredibly drying I honestly don't understand why it is so hyped up.

I blend this in with my Real Techniques setting brush, I find when I do so I seem to achieve a higher coverage.
This works best in the upside down triangle as it brightens the whole area and I can dot a bit extra under the eyes if there are any shadows lurking,
This is one of my favourite finds of 2015, in a perfect world this would have a touch more coverage as sometimes I can see some faint shadows under my eyes, but I guess that is the price you pay for having something that is not drying.
When this runs out I will pick up another without question, but I still want to try others in case there is something out there that adds just little bit more coverage.
So please tell me Dear readers, what is your Holy Grail?

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Autumn Lip Options no.1 : Love Liberty

The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks are the best Matte Lipsticks I have ever tried. You can read a gushing review on the beautiful summer shade Sexy Sienna here. However, as Autumn is upon us, it seemed like the perfect time to talk about my favourite fall shade, Love Liberty. 

Berry lips are so season appropriate and slipping into this colour palette is one of the only things that gets me excited for the colder months. 

 You might be able to see that these lipsticks have a square edge that is suppose to mimic the shape of a lip brush and thus negating the need to use one- I quite like this actually, at first I wasn't sure but when it comes to darker shades, precision is key. 

This lipstick is creamy, smooth and pigmented as hell. I just adore this colour and it will one hundred percent suit everyone, from the palest to the deepest skins. 

Once applied this lipstick has a very slight sheen to it but after a few hours of wear this does go down to a more classic matte.

I had about 3 coffees whilst wearing this and I didn't need to touch it up, it is so comfortable to wear I kept checking it because I still find it hard to believe that something that feels so slight on the lips can stay put, but it does.

I really love that this doesn't dry my lips out, ever after a full day of wear my lips feel the same.

Reapplication is a doddle as well as this never gets flakey or patchy like some mattes do, which I love because I spend 95% of my life eating so if I had to remove the whole thing and start again, I assure you I wouldn't wear it.

After a few hours when it is truly matte, it can show some texture in your lips, but not at all in a bad way, only I can notice when I get up close in the mirror as I like to be super critical when it comes to expensive items- but it doesn't feel drying and if I apply over it, the texture disappears.

In the picture above I am wearing Urban Decays Venom as a liner- it is a very good match, but any Berry liner will do. 

Bottom Line : This is one of my favourite Autumn shades from one of my favourite lipstick lines!

It's a lovely formula and a stunning colour.

What shades do you gravitate towards in these colder months?

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