A Huge American Beauty Haul

Hey Sweeties,

So, I have no doubt that for those that were aware of my recent trip to the States, you want to know what beauty bits I have brought back? Well, wait no more, here is my American beauty haul!

A couple of weeks ago you’ll remember I posted a beauty wish list (here) and I have to be honest, I got only one of the items on that list. For the most part, it’s because the one opportunity I got to go beauty shopping (despite the hundreds of Ulta’s and Target’s we drove past), and I visited just one Sephora store and two Walgreens, (the second of which came up trumps for finds). All three stores were in Las Vegas.

Sephora haul

Walgreens Haul

I have never been in a Sephora before and I was honestly like a kid in a candy shop. However, while my mind went crazy, I did have my list with me so that I wasn’t running around on a beauty shop high completely untethered but of course additional items did go into my basket.

Kat Von D setting spray

I have been after a setting spray, particularly for my wedding next year, and Urban Decay were probably top of the list based on reviews I have previously read. However, I had a chance to try out a few in store and the Lock’n Load Makeup Setting Mist by Kat Von D, for me, was the best. It was incredibly light, very refreshing and set quickly. Sold!

Keeping with Kat Von D, I deliberately hunted out her Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks and I have come back with two -Bachelorette and Vampira.

Kat Von D everlasting liquid lipsticks

Kat Von D everlasting Liquid Lipsticks

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Too Faced Foundation

Hey Sweeties,

Following my delight at being bought and totally loving Too Faced’s Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer (review here) last Christmas, you can imagine my delight at finding one of their foundation powders in my old haunt, TK Maxx (admittedly, a little while back now). Prior to purchase I had no idea what this product was like but I knew that I couldn’t let go of it and to the till it went.

Too Faced Foundation Powder

Too Faced Foundation Powder

Probably the key thing that attracted me most was the packaging which I just love and is the same as the Pink Leopard bronzer; a very appealing, sit in your hand, embossed plastic compact. What is different about this one though is the additional internal layer separating the product and the application pad. I love the addition of the mirror inside the lid too!

Too Faced Foundation Powder

I’ll be honest in saying that for me, this is not an everyday foundation because the coverage is too light. That being said, this product is ideal for the weekend when I am not going anywhere too special, or, after the gym if I am going somewhere afterwards, albeit just for coffee, where I prefer to make my face look a bit fresher. One thing for sure though is that this product is great for the summer.

As I mentioned, the coverage is light but this is not said negatively, my daily foundations are all liquid based because that is how I find I gain the best coverage that I need. To apply, I use a combination of my Real Techniques buffing brush and the supplied pad, although I prefer to use a brush in all honesty to achieve a consistent, well blended result (as modelled above).

Overall, I am delighted I found this foundation and it just reinforces that I am definitely keen to pursue more from Too Faced. 

Until next time x

Recent Beauty Purchases – Makeup Revolution, Real Techniques & More

Hey Sweeties,

Forever the beauty junky, I have, over the last month or so, picked up a few more beauty things… as you do!

Beauty haul

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GRWM Hockey End of Season Dinner Dance

Hey Sweeties,

This time last year was my end of season dinner with Yateley Hockey Club (revisit that post here), and one year on (last Saturday night) it’s the same event, just a different club. It’s also a celebration of 90 years of Windsor Hockey. For a bit of fun, I thought I would try a get ready with me (GRWM) kind of post. I’ll tell you now, these work much better on film but while I may never get that kind of confidence or expertise, photographs and words it is. So here goes!

No Makeup

The beginning: Hair washed, face bare.

Skincare prep

Skincare prep: Moisturiser, serum and primer

Evening makeup

I always have a tendency to over complicate my makeup when I am going out, so today I wanted to keep it really light and simple. It’s also been gorgeously hot & sunny lately!

For the most part, the order in which I apply products doesn’t change to the way I do my everyday makeup (here), only the products I use. Here, I am using a slightly heavier foundation (Mac’s Studio Sculpt), and rather than a separate blusher and bronzer, I am using Too Faced’s Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer (review here) to achieve that all over colour & very light contour. I have also swapped my Naked Palettes for a single pan of Mac’s Frost, which is a rosey bronze colour. I also wanted to try out my new Rimmel Scandal Eyes eyeshadow crayon, which I took into the crease and corners and blended out for a more shimmery effect.

Rimmel Scandal Eyes crayon

Early 1st impressions of the Rimmel Scandal Eyes crayon is good; very creamy & blendable!

I then finished off my eyes, eyebrows and face in the usual way.

Since getting my hair quite severely chopped (here), I can’t tell you how easy it is now and I am so much more inclined to keep it down and actually, do a bit more with it. I wash and prep it in the same way as I always do (see my haircare routine here), but as it’s a posher occasion I decided I would give it a bit of extra volume and shape by adding some curls.

Lee Stafford Curling Wand

I rarely like a whole head of full curls & the curling wand by Lee Stafford is great for giving you that choice over your look, type & size of curls.

…And I am done!

GRWM Complete

Dress -Lipsy (old), Clutch -Head over Heels/Dune, Shoes -Morgan/Schuh (old)

GRWM Makeup

I completed the look with Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick, Happy Nude Year.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Until next time x

 

Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer Review

Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer

I have been really keen to give Too Faced’s Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer a try and a review following Mum managing to get it for me (for Christmas) from New York. I am pretty sure it’s not available in the UK but of course don’t quote me on that.

Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer

Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer

This is a great little product! The packaging for starters is up there with one of my favourites, despite being plastic, it feels quality and the case is sturdy; I would feel fine transporting this about in my handbag or taking it away with me in my suitcase. Particularly, I love the embossed detail and the gold.

The product as you can see from the pictures consists of three colours/shades -a dark brown, a light brown and a light pink and it has a lovely shimmer to it. To be honest, it almost looks too pretty to use and also, you wonder -not how to use it- but how it will apply.

Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer

As you can see, the bronzer is fairly well pigmented and appears more golden than brown but the pressure of my finger running across it is of course heavier than a brush so when applying to the face, it isn’t quite as dark as it appears in the swatch.

The combination of the three shades swirled together and then dusted onto the face is beautiful.

On a day-to-day basis I do usually take my normal bronzer and contour it lightly underneath my cheek bones as well as taking the bronzer across my face. I think this Too Faced bronzer suits days when you just want that all over colour as the pink mixed into the two brown shades keeps it light and fresh.

Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer

Overall, if you can track it down in the UK or you get a chance to nip over the Atlantic or have a family member or friend soon to do so then I would firmly recommend you get this product in your life and into your makeup collection. You won’t regret it!

Until next time x

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