Anastasia of Beverly Hills Contour Kit!!

Having received this last week I stated I would give it a try out and write up a post about my experiences with it. I love how sleek and fancy this packaging is, with the pouch cover and all. I think that for $40 (£27 approx.) it is great value, not for £40 though...

  (L-R: Vanilla, Banana, Sand. Bottom row: Java, Fawn, Havana)

So inside you get 6 different shade powders, immediately I noticed the fine milled powder highly pigmented. This palette is perfect for beginners and experts in the contouring field! The versatile nature of this kit makes it a staple for everyone to own, I whole heartedly believe we should all get one!

Swatches:

(L-R: Java, Fawn, Havana, Vanilla, Banana, Sand)

Highlights of each shade:

Vanilla - This matte highlighter is amazing, I love to use this under my eyes not only to set my concealer but also brighten them up.

Banana - Probably the most appreciated powder in this set by the whole beauty community. Really works well to tone down any redness on the face.

Sand - This shade is shimmery, making it ideal for cheekbones and the forehead.

Java - A very light contour shade, I believe this would work best with paler and lighter complexions.

Fawn - The best contour shade. This cool toned matte bronzer gives you that Kardashian look. The bronzer is probably so flexible that it is suited to most skin tones.

Havana - A very warm toned bronzer. Use carefully or you could end up looking like you need a bath!

  

 Overall:

1.  It's gorgeous and easy to use.
2. The packaging is sleek and stunning.
3. A nice variety of cool/warm toned shades.
4. Removable pans so that you can restock it.
5. Decent price (IF you buy it from the US).
6. Expensive if bought in Europe.
7. Flip top box can be flimsy when travelling.
8. No mirror inside.

So what do you think? Will you be purchasing this/have you already purchased this?

Let me know in the comment section what your opinions are!

Ebay 10 piece brush set!

Hello! The rare glimpse of sun has appeared in the north of England today! The blue skies are a reminder of the coming summer months: which excites me greatly.

I ordered some cheap brushes from an Ebay seller last week for £6.89, arriving 2 days later! In search of some new flat top brushes (I've ruined my RT one with dreaded foundation!) I decided to try these out. Similar to the Jessup branded brushes all over Ebay, affordable and pretty. 

The brushes arrived in a basic brush bag with each brush individually wrapped in a plastic sleeve. I opted for the black/silver combination to match most of the MAC brushes I own, there are many colour combinations available (as you can see on the link). In the set there are 5 smaller versions of the bigger kabuki style brushes which can be used for precision on the face or on the eyes. I immediately washed the set and have not experienced any bleeding of colour or shedding as of yet...

As you can see from the picture above, you receive...

A round top angled brush - I find this good at applying blush or a light dusting of bronzer. I love how soft the brushes are, along with how softly it disperses powder onto my face.

A flat top brush - Perfect for applying foundation (the actual reason I bought the whole set initially anyway!), much like the beloved RT flat top brush included in the CORE collections set etc.. The denseness of the brush really allows for a flawless finish.

An angled flat top brush - can also be used for bronzer and blush, I would stay clear of using this to contour however... the brush is too thick to achieve sharper definition. I would say that this brush delivers a subtle to natural application.

A tapered brush - I love the look and feel of this one in my hand, but I find it hard to use and incorporate in my routine. Perhaps the tapered end will allow you to apply foundation in harder to reach areas like around the nose and eyes? A shame as it's a really lovely looking and feeling brush... I just have no use for it yet.

A round top brush - Useful for foundation as well or working powder into the face in small amounts. As you can see below this brush is probably nice to apply mineral foundation rather than whole face powder (pity as I don't ever use mineral foundation...).

Anyway, on to the smaller brushes!

So here are the smaller versions of the larger brushes, with slightly longer handles.

Flat top brush - Not a stand out brush of the set, useful for applying small amounts of powder to concentrated areas.

Round top brush -  A good fluffy brush, ideal for soft blending of eye shadow over the lid.

Angled flat top brush - I don't find much use for this brush, the sharp angle makes it hard to create a nice soft blend. I'd opt for the rounded angle brush over this one any day!

Angled round top brush - I prefer this one greatly to the angled version, the rounded angle makes it softer and easier to blend eye shadow.

Tapered brush - The star of the five! Really fantastic at blending and use on the crease line! Super soft and sturdy!

I already love these brushes to pieces! For under £7 and UK delivery you cannot say no to these! After reading a few reviews I feared the awful chemical smell everyone warned about, but these brushes had no such smell at all! Some bloggers also stating that the glue holding the brushes to the handles is naff, though all the babies in my set were firmly stuck!

I cannot recommend these lovely cheap and soft brushes enough! A nice addition to my over growing brush set! I have heard these are great dupes for Sigma brushes, I'm not really fussed about dupes... if I want a brush I will go buy that brand regardless. But it is an idea of how positive the beauty community view this set of 10 brushes!

I hope you're all having a fab weekend and enjoying the beginnings of spring time!

What's in my daily make-up bag?

Hi all! So today I thought I'd show you the essential products I like to use on a day to day basis. Most people could agree with me that its completely normal to buy more make-up than you need, hence having products grouped into day and occasion wear. I like to think of these as my staple products that I get along with the best and are reliable. 

Complexion and face products:

Smashbox Photo Finish (sample)

I really like this primer, and I tend to absolutely hate wearing a primer under my foundation normally! I like how it doesn't feel heavy or weird and silicone-y (I'm looking at you Pore-fessional!). I pretty much gave up on primers ever since buying Benefit's Pore-Fessional, I really ought to have tried a sample before going ahead and impulse buying the tube (sigh). I reckon the full size Photo Finish will be one of my near future purchases.

L'oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream Anti-Redness £9.99

I picked this up in Superdrug last week, taking advantage of the 3 for 2 deal (does it ever end?). I suffer from bad red patches on my face during the colder/pale months, which is thankfully not as bad as bas as an acne problem, but nevertheless inconvenient... So I decided to give this a go. I honestly like this product, despite everyone claiming it turns them orange and doesn't work. I think it works well with my colouring since it does not look orange at all, but dramatically neutralises my face by counter-acting the redness with green tones. I like to use this as an everyday/light make-up look when I have 9am lectures or seminars. It's very moisturising and lightweight, I would recommend this for light coverage.

L'oreal Paris True Match Foundation in C2 £9.99

Okay, my female family members back at home have not stopped raving about L'oreal True Match foundation. I recently got fed up and bored of my old faithful Revlon Colourstay and had initially planned to get PhotoReady... However, I decided to make the most of the L'oreal deal and purchase 2 different shades of this foundation (C2 and C3), the colours really work well with my skin and don't go patchy after a few hours (unlike Colourstay).  I really enjoy trying different foundations without breaking the bank and buying higher end ones; my skin colour changes too much from winter to summer. I like to use a flat top kabuki brush to apply it, giving a good finish and blend.

MAC Mineralise Skin Finish in Medium Tan £23

  

I'm not too sure about the new packaging! I hadn't bought a MSF for a while now, mainly using MAC's Studio Sculpt Defining Powder instead. I figured I'd give the funky reformulated and packaged MSF another go... (BTW, the huge magnet on the clunky lid of the compact is so strong and annoying). 

Powder is vital for my foundation to last long, especially around my T-zone which can get quite oily if I'm out all day. Putting powder on my face makes my foundation feel less dewy and more refined and matte, which I prefer (I hate dewy!). I apply this with my kabuki brush, making sure I can get it worked well into the corners of my nose an near my eye bridge.

Benefit Fake Up in Medium (sample)

I've recently started using this as my go-to concealer, turning a cold shoulder to all my other concealers. I love how it seamlessly blends into my face, covering any redness around my nose and the odd spot very well. I wouldn't use it under my eyes due to the hydrating balm around the concealer centre. I never really got along with it before, so it is surprising that I've been shunning all my other concealers over it.

Benefit Puff Off £22.50

After receiving this today I am hooked! I love the cooling metal iron along with the soothing cream. The packaging is even cuter in front of me than online! I reckon this will become a sure staple in my bag, pairing it with my CC cream to give me a slightly less zombie appearance at 9am lectures. 

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel £32

Everyone needs this in their life! I've tried dupes and nothing comes near to this baby! It's an amazing product, and very long lasting (I've had this for quite a while now). I gives a subtle but healthy looking glow without coming off tacky and orange. I use this on my cheeks and forehead to prep my face before my bronzer, ensuring flawless blending ;)

MAC Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze £21

I know I say 'You need this!', but seriously.., YOU NEED THIS. I have repurchased this bronzer time after time after time. It's such an underrated product, the highly pigmentted matte bronzer is a must! I love the glow and definition it gives me face, meaning it comes everywhere with me! An angled brush like MAC's 168 is great for apply this.

MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power £18

Opting for bronzer over blush means I don't normally like a too powerful bold cheek. This is perfect for everyday/subtle wear which gives some colour but not a definite give away that you're wearing blusher at all. I reserve blushes like Benefit's Bella Bamba and Coralista for holidays and the summer months normally. I like to apply a light brushing of this on the apples of my cheeks by using MAC's 187 brush.

Benefit Watt's Up! £24.50

 I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered my first Watt's Up (that's a sign of how many of these I've got through!). The champagne coloured highlighter is very effective I find, the creamy-ness meaning the product blends well into the face. I love using this around my brow bone and above my cheek bones. The packaging is funny and gorgeous, however I do dislike the blending sponge tip built on the bottom. I do not use the sponge tip due not only hygiene reasons, but also I prefer to use my finger tips to really blend the highlighter into my skin well (avoiding that Edward Cullen glow!).

Eye products:

- For my eyebrows I use MAC's angled 263 brush with MUA's single eye shadow in Chestnut (£1). I fill in my eyebrows with the shadow, and then define and elongate them using Rimmel's Eyebrow Pencil in Black Brown (£2.99).

MAC Pro Longwear in Soft Ochre £15.50

This nude coloured Paint Pot is ideal for under eye shadow. The flesh colour does not interfere with any eye shadow's colouring, whilst priming and prolonging the wear of shadow. I started using these when I was about 14, so 6 years later (and many empty pots of Soft Ochre) I still maintain this is the best primer over any other out there. I use a small concealer brush to apply it on my lid, blending it in with a tapered eye shadow blending brush.

MAC Pigment in Vanilla £17

I did a review on this pigment a month or so ago, but this is a fab product! I use it over the whole lid and up to under the eyebrow after using the paint pot. I then apply a white/light shadow in the corner of the eye, the pigment helps to seamlessly blend all the colours together.

MAC Cool Neutral Palette £65

Nudes and browns are the way to go! This palette is very pigmented and I love the browns included. I tend to stick to a boring/basic/easy brown smoky eye, how boring/safe am I!? I use this alot due to the sturdiness of the palette mainly, I find the Naked or the Too Faced Palettes too clunky and risky to take out and about. This palette feels secure and is lightweight.

Benefit They're Real mascara £19.50

I believe this is either my 3rd or 4th tube of They're Real. I tended to stick to Clinique's High Impact mascara before, but this really helps my naturally short and stubborn eyelashes. I do not believe Roller Lash will ever hold such a place in my heart, the length and curl of my lashes are lost after hours. I never find this to be the case with They're Real, holding the length and curl all day, making it a staple and vital product for my day to day look.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink £18

It always looks better when the eye is lined to finish the smoky eye look in my opinion. I pair a nice bit of liner on my lid with mascara to create the illusion of a longer eyelash. I apply this with Real Technique's fine liner brush (not that awful silicone RT one they do...yuck!).

Lip products:

MAC Dazzle Glass in Coral (part of 2014 Holiday collection set)

Pretty basic when it comes to my everyday lip, I tend to save lipstick for the summer or occasional wear. Wearing a light layer of gloss is ideal for me, not to OTT for my seminars! I love MAC's Dazzle Glass in Coral from the 2014 Holiday collection sets. It's not too sticky in regards to hair getting stuck, but Manchester's wind means everything is 10x worse than most places!

Carmex Lip Balm in Jasmine Green Tea (£2.69)

Carmex is my life! I religiously apply the cherry scented one normally, but after spotting this on offer for £1.79 in Superdrug I jumped! I adore green tea, and it smells like green tea smells like very subtly. Carmex mends my chewed up lips which I cannot stop biting (someone help me!).

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What are your essential go-to products? Let me know by writing a comment below!

Spring Wishlist!!

Nars Bronzing Powder in Casino £27.50 
I love my Nars Laguna bronzer, however Casino is so versatile in that its not too matte nor shimmery. I think this darker bronzer will be more useful to me in the summer when I wish to brush a bit of colour and definition to my face.

China Glaze in Pack Lightly £3.95
China Glaze is my favourite brand of nail varnish due to their affordability and quality nail polishes. This light spring pink is perfect to paint on and show off your nails with a nice dress. I think it would also look cool when paired with a matte top coat like OPI's.

Tom Ford lip colour in Coco Ravish £37 
So expensive but classic and classy looking! I wish I could justify spending £37 on one single lipstick! I adore this colour as it compliments my olive-y skin tone whilst looking super sophisticated (plus the packaging is glam!).

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer £22 
Everyone I know is forever raving about this concealer, and I do trust Nars with their quality products. However I have just recently bought another MAC Studio Finish concealer so I do not NEED this product (would be nice though).

Benefit Puff Off! £22.50
Okay, I actually finally bought this last night online from Debenhams due to the 10% off beauty promotion. I have wanted this since the images were first released, I am in awe of the cutesy packaging more than the contents of the tube!

China Glaze in Queen B £3.95
The polish is darker in real light, a navy but not too dark/dull shade. I love a blue-ish nail, however I refuse to wear tacky bright blues so this is a compromise! 

Sleek Blush By 3 Lace £9.99
Such lovely colours! Sleek blushes always remind me of Nars (not sure why!), I am so curious to try the orange blush as I have a feeling it would work really well with my skin. Super affordable being just under a tenner, I have no excuses to say no to buying myself this!

MAC Face and Body foundation £28.50
120ml is an awful lot for a foundation bottle to typically hold, but as a face and body foundation it makes more sense. The light to medium build-able coverage is an advantage as its perfect for the warming months as it isn't too heavy or cakey. With it being a thinner consistency it allows for a better polished and refined blending between the neck and face. 

YSL Tuxedo palette £49
I am an eye shadow palette hoarder! I would love more neutral browns to add to my collection like usual, despite having so many already! The packaging is so sleek and glamorous, coming with a nice double sided brush!

China Glaze in Sunset Sail £3.95
Brown nude polishes are so underrated! I love a subtle colour to compliment super long nails, the colour being so versatile with whatever I wear. The shade is not too in your face or bold whilst still giving off an elegant look.

Revlon Photo Ready foundation £12.99
I normally opt for Revlon's Colourstay foundation, I have tried Photo Ready once but immediately went back to my old faithful Colourstay. I really want to switch to this foundation in the spring/summer (especially with all the sunny out n' about photos that will be taken).

..... so what's on your spring wish list?

Sephora haul

I love a bit of make-up shopping, and the idea of shopping at Sephora is my idea of not only getting my hands on a bargain but also the opportunity to buy products not available in the UK. So I jumped at the idea that my father was travelling to New York on business and the chance to order a few products. 

The first thing I chose was the Anastasia of Beverly Hills Contour Kit, I was amazed by the idea of a decently pigmented contour palette for a good price. What slightly annoys me is that due to its exclusivity and rarity in the UK websites like Cult Beauty seem to think its acceptable to charge £39! Bare in mind in the US it retails for $40!! Total rip-off! I will review this in a separate post as I haven't had too much chance to use it yet!

Next up was the Smashbox Try It Kit as I never really gave much glance to this brand over the likes of Benefit and MAC. Everyone seems to rave about the photo primer - for $18 I thought why not?

Like with the contour palette, I have had no time to myself to try out or review this set yet. I briefly tried the shadow primer the other day, immediately deciding that whilst it was long lasting... it was not comparable to MAC's paintpots.

And of course... I just had to make a sneaky Kat Von D purchase, due to not being able to get it here! I picked the liquid lipstick in Bachelorette which is a hot pink-red shade. It was quite a risk at $18 (I think?) considering Sephora own brand had cheaper $11 versions. I have tried it on once to experiment with it, I noticed it was very long lasting and easy to apply.

As I was browsing the sale section I spotted a gel liner for $5 down from $18! Quickly looking up the reviews I realised it was a pretty well respected product. I justified this with my almost empty Bobbi Brown gel liner, the price difference being massively different.

The thing I love about American websites is the freebies they offer. I used to get excited over Debenhams free 'deluxe' samples that came free when you purchases 1 or 2 Benefit products etc... Upon realising just how many samples US sites offer I felted a bit offended that we don't get that here in the UK. Roller Lash samples were available in Elle magazine, but a) I don't ever read Elle and b) I refuse to pay for a magazine I won't read just for a sample. So when I saw Sephora was offering a free sample I jumped at it, curious to determine whether the mascara really is good (or bad) like some blogs state.

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And a UK purchase! The hyped Revolution Beyond Flawless 32 eye shadow palette!

For £6 and 32 shades of decently pigmented shadow is pretty hard to turn down! I don't really understand why Revolution's website offers the palette at £8 and Superdrug at £6... stumped for reasons as to why, but hey ho... I've swatched some of this palette and I'm content with it so far, I do love a good bargain palette (MUA palettes becoming a staple in my everyday travel kit).

So I am left with some new goodies to try out and review in the next week! Hope you all had a good weekend!

Mahogany lips! MAC Paramount lipstick and Mahogany liner!

Today I'm looking at the mahogany, reddish/orange/brown lip trend. Being somewhat olive toned I adore rocking a reddy brown lip, finding such bright reds like MAC's Ruby Woo too much for my skin. So a little trip to my local MAC counter solved my dilemma... a wine (ish?) red lip colour that suits me far better...

 Tadaaaa I present you Paramount!

I love the satin lipsticks, as they are less drying than the matte finishes. I cannot stand the flaky old man lips matte gives me within an hour or two! Paramount is a gorgeous, sophisticated shade that could compliment most skin tones. It's sexy colouring would mean it would look absolutely fabulous with a tan in the summer.

I find when used with a liner it lasts most of the day without needing much of a touch up, the liner stopping it from bleeding from the lips. The MAC counter assistant recommended I pick Mahogany to compliment Paramount... she was not wrong at all! 

 A beautiful match!!

The liner perfectly compliments the lipstick, giving me the opportunity to fill in my whole lips before applying the lipstick so there is even colour throughout. Although the lipstick is not as drying as some it is recommended that you prime your lips prior to application, I personally would use MAC Prep+Prime lip base or the conditioning tube they sell (which has been out of stock for what seems like months!!! AH MAC!!! :( )

So... What do I think? If you are unsure of rocking the classic red lip but still want the seductive reddish lips, try the alternate... Paramount. The shade is perfect for casual and formal, play it down or dress up the eyes to complete the look! One thing for certain, I would only recommend this lip look if you buy the liner, without it I do not feel like the lip would look polished or neat enough (majorly important with a stand out colour like this).

MAC Paramount lipstick and Mahogany lip liner retail at MAC, House of Fraser, Selfridges, Debenhams (etc etc) for £15.50 and £12.50.