American Beauty Haul feat. Sephora, Macy’s and CVS

Hey Sweeties,

I know it has been over a month since I came back from my Honeymoon to the USA – Boston, Washington DC, and Provincetown on Cape Cod- but getting my energy and momentum back up to renew my blogging schedule has been a challenge, I won’t lie. That being said, I am gradually getting back on it and you can look forward to some posts soon all about where I visited on my recent USA trip so do stay tuned (and follow me on Bloglovin’ or my other channels so you don’t miss them!).

It’ll be worth highlighting here that like my Trek America trip a couple of years ago, my holiday budget was more on doing things, than it was for shopping.

Enjoy!

USA Beauty Haul – CVS, Macy’s and Sephora

American Beauty Haul Sephora

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My Makeup Collection: Eyes

Hey Sweeties,

Continuing with my posts taking you through my makeup collection having already shown you my foundations (here) & blushers (here), today I thought I would take you through eyes, specifically palettes, individual pans and crayons.

eye Makeup collection

eye makeup collection

Ofra in shade, Bliss: The problem with eye palettes and individual pans is that unless the brand, colour etc. is really good, the pans can get lost in the drawer and that is kind of what has happened here with Ofra. I got this sometime early last year I think in a Love me Beauty Box (here), and although I liked it at the time, it eventually got forgotten about until I dug everything out to photograph for this post. However, while I am loving bronze and gold tones, I should try and re-incorporate this pan back into the mix.  View Full Post

My Make-Up Collection: Blushers

Hey Sweeties,

A few weeks ago I started a new mini blog series with the intention of taking you through my make-up collection, starting with my foundations (here). Today I thought I would share with you my collection of blushers which, let it be known, are my weakness of all make-up products. I can’t put a definite reason for this but I always feel there is room for a new one, whereas things like eye make-up, you do reach a point where you get every look covered. With blush, I love the application; it’s effortless and girlie and can really compliment complexion.

Blushers collection

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My Everyday Makeup Routine

Hey Sweeties,

I thought today I would share with you my everyday makeup routine, it’s something I thought I might be competent and brave enough to film but… maybe next time eh? However, this did though give me a great excuse to play with the self timer on my new camera!

So, let’s begin…

Everyday makeup

Before I begin my makeup, I cleanse with Burt’s Bees cream cleanser (review here) before moisturising and applying primer -at the moment I am using Maybelline’s Babyskin (instant pore eraser). I have a selection of foundations but for the most part I reach for L’Oreal’s True Match (in C2 Rose Vanilla). I apply this with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

Foundation application

In the areas the need a bit more coverage -notably under my eyes, on my chin & forehead/t-zone- I use Collection’s Lasting Perfection concealer in shades 02 and 03. 02 (cool medium) for under my eyes which also serves to highlight, and 03 (warm medium) for the other areas. I apply this with a combination of the Real Techniques Pointed Foundation brush and my middle finger which allows the product to warm into my skin.

Concealer application

I then set this with Rimmel’s Stay Matte Powder.

Face Powder

Following this, I then apply bronzer, blusher and a little bit of highlighter. For bronzer I use Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer in 022 Sun Bronze and apply this using (an old) angled face brush which I use to define my cheek bones (by sucking in my cheeks to find the line). Then, in an ‘E’ formation, I take the product up and onto my forehead, and also down underneath my jaw bone blending as I go.

Bronzer application

My day-to-day choice of blusher varies but since purchasing Sleek’s Pink Lemonade palette (review here), I reach for this most often at the moment, specifically shade, pink mint.

Sleek Pink Lemonade

I take a little bit of Topshop’s highlighter in Sunbeam at the top of my cheekbones.

Topshop highlighter sunbeam

Then, the eyes! Since purchasing them, I love Urban Decay’s Naked Palettes, these for me have every look covered between the three of them but for the everyday, I use the first palette taking ‘Naked’ across my lid as a base colour, before applying ‘Buck’ into the crease and blending them both together.

Urban Decay Naked PaletteBenefit's Roller Lash mascara

At the moment I am really enjoying Benefit’s Roller Lash and this is my go to mascara currently (review here). I love how it opens up my eyes and holds in place all day.

When I have more time or if I am using another Naked Palette, such as no.3 and create a pink look, I like to add eyeliner -either Collection’s Fast Stroke liner or Benefit’s They’re Real Push Up liner.

Then finally (finally!), I complete my look with my eyebrows and I do this either using a pencil or a brown eyeshadow with a brush and setting in place with Rimmel’s Brow This Way gel.

Et voila, I am done and ready for the day!

Everyday makeup routine

I also often apply a bit of Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick in 09 Happy Nude Year

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know if there is anything else you would like me to do -always welcome to suggestions and new excuses to try out the camera more!

Until next time x

Exclusive: Benefit’s New Launch Revealed!

New Benefit launch

Hey Sweeties,

So I can finally reveal a top secret launch I attended back in December in London with Benefit and Elle magazine! I can finally reveal that Benefit’s brand new launch is Roller Lash -a mascara that hooks, lifts and curls!

Benefit Roller Lash

On 11th December, we (a select group of Elle Insiders) were asked to meet outside Marble Arch at 5:30 on a chilly Thursday evening… We were told to look out for a lorry which ‘we couldn’t miss’. The fact is you could miss it as it was dark but once through the famous arch there it stood in the darkness, full of mystery of what was to be revealed behind the exterior.

Inside, the trailer had been turned into a 1940-50s esque salon, all pink and vibrant! We were welcomed by Maggie and Annie Ford Danielson -the daughters of Jean Ford/Nieces of Jane Ford aka. the famous Ford Twins and original founders of Benefit no less!- and were soon handed glasses of champagne and trays of canapés made the rounds.

We were then introduced to Roller Lash!!

Roller Lash

Roller Lash

Roller Lash

Keeping it simple, the idea behind this mascara is to eliminate the need to curl your lashes before applying mascara as this product quite simply does it for you (yes really!). If you think about the way hair curlers work, the same theory applies here. On the applicator, the wand tip -the Hook ‘n’ Roll Brush– despite appearing similar to other mascara applicators, has the unique new feature of tiny little hooks that as you apply product to your lashes, the brush hooks each individual lash and “delivers super-culing and lifting performance”. Sceptical? Yes us Insiders were too… until we were given the product to try to ourselves. And oh my does it curl!

Firstly, you would think that to hook and curl lashes upon application may be uncomfortable? … no Sweeties, no. The applicator is very light and yet the effect that follows is witnessed instantly as just one rolling coat opens up the eyes and defines your lashes as if you were using the best of the best eyelash curlers. It really is quite incredible.

Eyes
One of my favourite things about the product is the packaging! If you remember my earlier point about the inside of the Benefit trailor/lorry being all styled around a 40s-50s salon and the hair curler theory, the packaging is of course in keeping with this. Above I have included photos both from the event and (below) of the product I have been sent in order to try and really show off to you this new mascara. I really like the combination of black and pink and the handle of the applicator is lovely and grippy to hold.

Benefit Roller Lash

This is the 4th Elle Insider event I have attended (in 2014) and it was great this time to start getting recognised by Elle staff, Lisa Potter-Dixon (Benefit’s Head Makeup Artist) and then meeting up again with fellow insiders. I would like to say a special THANK YOU to Elle for providing subscribers like myself these types of opportunities as it really is great to get involved!

Annie & Maggie Ford-Danielson

Nothing quite like standing between 2 stunningly beautiful ladies to make you feel like a frump!

Until next time x

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