ELF Studio Blush

As you can see, I have three ELF studio blushes in Peachykeen, Candid Coral and Tickled Pink.  There are 11 shades within the range and contain 4.75g of product.  Packaging wise I think ELF have modeled themselves on NARS, so its all very sleek and sophisticated.  Three years ago these were actually the blushes that started off my obsession with cheek products, and I have never looked back.  I love the pigmentation and how soft the texture is.  Apparently some shades are a bit hit and miss, but I personally haven't found that with the ones I own.  I think they have a good longevity, and blend well into the skin to give a nice glowing look.  I believe that all the shades contain some form of shimmer, though it doesn't transfer onto the skin in Tinkled Pink's case.  ELF is definitely putting their prices up, because when I bought these I think I paid £2.50 each, now they retail for £3.75.  It's not a make or break amount and is still a very good price for the quality of this product, also ELF always have discount codes floating about.  The Gotta Glow shade is meant to be a lovely highlight, so it is on my list for my next order.  

Confessions of a Beauty Blogger: Highlight Collection

The UK weather has been teasing us the past week, dipping its toe in and out of 25 degrees.  Summer for me marks various seasonal treats: barbecues, being about to have a cider during the day without people thinking you have a problem, that sort of thing. But also the summer marks that time when highlight becomes my new best friend. I have a mixture of highlighting products and is one part of my makeup collection that I am happy with don't think it too excessive.

Full Collection

Powder Highlights

Acessorize Laguna Bronzer

Sleek Face Contour Kit

NYC Bronze Wheel

ELF Golden Bronzer

Soap and Glory Bronzer

 Favourite Powder Highlights

Accessorize Laguna Bronzer

Sleek Face Contour Kit

Liquid Highlights

No7 Skin Illuminator

Mememe Beat the Blues

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer

Colour Works Highlight

Favourite Liquid Highlights

No7 Skin Illuinator

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer

I enjoy looking at an overview of other peoples' collections. So if you do too, let me know in the comments below and I will put together some more posts like this.  

Eyeshadow Palette Collection: http://bit.ly/14LqHce

Products I Regret Buying #2

Oh it's that time again, I'm lowering the tone. Sozza! I normally read a lot of reviews before I buy products but sometimes a product might not work for me or the impulsive, crazy shopaholic gets the better of me and completely disregard reading reviews.

Please remember these products did not work for me but that's not saying that they won't work for anyone.  Do not take offence if I have included one of your favourite products.  Likewise, I may have been taken in by the hype of a product and been disappointed. 

Warning this post is quite photo heavy!

Boots and Superdrug Own Nose Strips

Everyone gets the odd blackhead on the nose and the easiest way to remove them are normally to use nose strips.  But these don't actually remove any dirt at all.  They make no difference, but I can't work out why.  They stick on the nose perfectly well and don't fall off. So it much be the actual formula that doesn't do anything.

Maybelline Fit Me Blush

I bought this out in America when I went to New York and thought I would love it as I really like the Fit Me Foundation. This may just be this particular shade but there is no pigmentation at all. In the pan this looks like a lovely everyday shade but I cannot get anything from it.  To get a swatch I rubbed the blusher on my arm for a good 2 minutes and the picture below shows the result.

Soap & Glory - Thick & Fast Mascara

I bought this mascara in a Christmas set this year so I didn't pay full price for this, and I would not recommend anyone to do so.  The brush is too big and the formula is really wet, so both factors combined means I get this mascara everywhere.  I have small eyes so for me it is more trouble than its worth to apply this in the morning.  I also find it transfers really quickly so I get panda eyes within a few hours.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid

I have a love-hate relationship with this foundation.  I love how long lasting it is, I know if I want my makeup to stay put all night I should go to this foundation.  But that's all for the 'love' part.  I hate that this is sooooo yellow and therefore doesn't actually match me. (I could do a whole post ranting about how MAC do their warm and cool tones backwards as well.)  I don't like how thick the consistency is, combined with the smell it is literally like putting paint on your face. I could go on, so let me know if you would like a full review on this, I promise it won't be a complete rant though.

ELF Bronzer

For £1 I can bare this not being a good product, so this is a more of a 'not repurchase' sort of product.  The colour is too dark almost mud like.  I love a strong contour so normally it wouldn't be a problem for me but it is so hard to blend this out.  I have tried to use this various ways, but I always end up with a mud-like strip down my face.  I hate it but let me know if you have found a trick to how to use this.

Simple Eye Makeup Corrector Pen

I thought this would be a life saver for me and those little bloopers that I do sometimes when applying my eye makeup.  Oh no, this just smudges the nice areas or does completely nothing. After only 2 or 3 uses the nib is flatter and started to come away so is not as precise as it first was.  Shame because I like their makeup remover.

ELF Eyebrow Lifter and Filler

I really liked the idea of this and I think Benefit have a product similar to this so I thought I was getting a bit of a bargain.  The highlight side of this is really good and don't have any major complains.  My issue is with the filler section of this product, I didn't realise this was a wax.  Probably my fault it might say it on the website.  I don't like wax for my eyebrows I much prefer a pencil or powder.  Secondly, the barrel is really thick, so unless you have really bushy brows the wax can go everywhere. The swatch below is one straight line, so it is nicely pigmented but as just not what I expected.  I do like how there is a sharper than is attached to the lid, always handy.

2true Lip and Cheek Tints

These are just a bit of a nightmare to apply and get the right look. I don't like them on the lips at all, they have a horrible scent which would be horrible to accidentally lick and also I found them really drying on the lips. 

Cheek wise you have to be really careful where you place the liquid which for the darker shade is really runny.  Swatched below the light pink on the left blends out to nothing really.  The pigmentation completely goes. Whereas the darker shade on the right does have pigmentation but the product ran down my arm and set. If this was my cheek I wouldn't have any control of where the colour was going.  

Sorry this ended up being a longer post than anticipated. If you would like to see other products that I regret buying, have a peek at my first regret post here. It's not as long I promise.

Makeup to Go - Popping Down the Shops

As a self-confessed makeup lover, I use any excuse to get my makeup brushes out.  I know a lot of people won't be seen dead outside of their home without any makeup on.  I don't think I've reached that category, yet.  But sometimes I do still apply a bit even if I am only popping down Tesco or up to uni for an hour.  

I wouldn't bother with the primer as I don't need this to last all day, so quick and easy so I don't look like I've just got out of bed.  

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - I love this foundation, it matches my skin tone the best out of all my foundations.  It makes me look awake and my skin glowing.  

ELF Stick Concealer - I'm not a massive fan of this concealer, or stick concealers in general, but it does give full coverage. Perfect for any redness or spots that need to be removed quickly.

Sleek Face Contour Kit - I wouldn't go to town on the contour, I'd get a big fluffy brush and bronze my face where the sun would hit me or just under the cheek bones to shape my face.

Natural Collection Blush - These are lovely little things, full review here.  They don't last long but are perfect for adding a flush of colour.

HD Brow Kit - I use this everyday, depending on the situation I would go for a lighter shade for day time but mix that with a shade darker for an evening brow.

Maybelline One by One Mascara - I still haven't made my mind up about this mascara.  It's the one I am using at the moment but find it does give me panda eyes after a few hours.

If you would like to see what I apply when I am in a rush, take a peek at my Makeup to Go - Work/College post.

Project 10 Pan

This challenge sort of goes hand in hand with my 100 day spending ban, which I guess could be seen as cheating as I'm not allowed to be buying new things anyway. Oh Well!

The idea behind this post is to show you which products I have decided to completely use up, either because I don't use them and they are taking up room, or because I love a certain product so much that I have bought 100 of them and need to use them all up. I am also not allowed to buy any other products until these are completely used up. These are not the only products that I have that fall into each category so I have no excuse to buy any products at all. 

I have 10 categories as opposed to just 10 products.

Concealers
I have also included the Dream Matte foundation from Maybelline as I bought a couple of these back in the day of their hype, but now I'm not such a big fan and just want it gone. Similar story with my ELF All Over Cover Sticks (top right) I used to love these, but my love affair ended before I could even start my second stick. The other two ELF concealers are not favourites of mine, the coverage is nice on both but neither have very good staying power which for me is such a pain. However, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is really good and is one of the products that I have lots of, so want to get rid of some of my most empty tubes. The Collection Illuminating Touch was too very nice and did the job that I wanted but I've decided to try other versions of the YSL format.

Primers
I'll start with my ELf eye primers both from their normal and mineral ranges, I like both of these and most of the time reach for these more than my Urban Decay Primer Potion. I want to do a post where I compare these to the UD one so keep you're eyes peeled for that one. The MUA face primer, it's ok but nothing great. I prefer face primers that have a more silicone base to them whereas this one is more of a cream. I think it was under £5 though so I'm not disappointed as I didn't have high hopes really.

Bronzers
The Natural Collection one has appeared in a couple of posts before where I have tried to use this up and that's because I have another one in the same shade. They are so big and contain so much product it seems like it is never ending. I like this, it does have a lot of shimmer running through it so I like it has a highlight shade on my cheek bones. The bronzing balls are in a Dream Matte Foundation pot because the packaging broke very soon after my buying them and I can't remember what brand they are from. Sun Kissed or something maybe? These are darker than the Natural collection one and again contain shimmer.

Body Shop Lip Balms
These are perfect for school bags and desks, they come in a variety of scents and shades. To be honest not as moisturising as I thought they would be as I am a massive fan of The Body Shop Body Butters. But I do like these especially the Born Lippy version which can be used as a tint as well, so brilliant two in one product. 

Eyeshadows
The two palettes I don't ever use so I thought that now would be a perfect time to clear them out. This Gosh palette has actually made me not want to buy anything else from the Gosh Brand because I really don't think the quality matches the price and when there are brands like MUA that keep bringing out amazing palettes at really affordable prices, I don't want to waste my money. The other palette is by a Spanish brand and was really cheap, but with that the staying power is rubbish. The little Maybelline Eyeshadow in P  I think is very similar to Sin from Urban Decay, and also might be doing a post on dupes very soon. 

Face Powders
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, a good face powder but have since tried the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and I much prefer it so I've converted to that one. I bet not many of you recognise or even remember when 17 packaging looked like this. I know some of you are probably shaking your heads because I can't hide how long I've had this. I like this, a simple powder, matches my skin colour really well but I prefer the Rimmel powder again.

Face Creams
It feels like I have a million and one face creams sometimes but these particular ones have been with me for quite a while and have even followed me to 3 different houses! They are good creams though so don't just want to throw them away. HOARDER guilty.

Body Creams
I have so many lotions and potions I have decided to remove the ones that have been lying around the longest. Also the sample that I received in a Glossybox is also in here as I really like the scent but for reason always choose something else over it.

Impulses
I used to collect Impulses. Is that sad? I have at some point in my life owned every single fragrance  and have duplicates of all the scents photographed. These are really handy for school or gym bags as the scents are always nice and girly without being too overpowering. My friend asked me what perfume I was wearing and I don't know if the scent she liked was my impulse of my actual perfume. 

Heat Defence Spray
I have a mini collection here, the Aussie Take the Heat and the John Freda Frizz Ease sprays I would probably repurchase at some point as I really liked them but the GHD and Toni and Guy I felt were just alright and nothing too special really. Did the job and smelt nice but always felt that either they could be greasy or weighed my hair down.

As I finish these they will appear in empties videos, or I might do updates if I think there's enough information to do a full post on. I have done similar posts to this before as I Shopped My Stash in August and September in a bid to use more of my products.

January Favourites

I know I'm a bit of a flusy when it comes to posts like this as I like to really love the products that I include as opposed to just adding products in to fill spaces. Let me know if you would prefer these on a more regular basis.

Origins - Drink Up 10 Minute Mask

I plan to do a full review on this mask as it is so amazing. My skin has never felt so good I am really glad I picked this up. Unlike other masks that sit on the skin and have to be washed off. This is an intensive cream that soaks into the skin and I wipe away with a cotton pad. Easy as that with fantasic results.

Sleek - Oh So Special Eyeshadow Palette

I received this in a Glossybox, I think the December edition and I have been loving this palette. There is a nice mix of shimmer and matte shades that can be used to create daytime or evening looks.

ELF - Contouring Bronzing Powder

I like the blush in this set but this month I rediscovered the bronzer. Ironically I digged this out when I bought Nars Laguna and found that the two work so well together. Even though the shimmer can be seen clearly in the pan of this ELF bronzer, I use it to contour and find that the shimmer does not transfer onto the face. 

Sephora - Rose Glow Blush

I also have a review coming up on this product too showing the shade swatched properly. I use this blush in the evening one as I chose a slightly darker shade than my peachy daytime ones. I love how soft and easily this blush blends onto the skin. I wish I had picked up some more shades as Sephora hasn't reached us in the UK... Yet?

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser

My lips have suffered this Winter, dry, cracked and just plain horrid. I have tried various lip balms in the past but none have nursed my lips back to full health as much as this one. Though the packaging and scent may lead you to believe I was prescribed this, it is actually available in Boots. I have really enjoyed using this product and I will definitely be repurchasing it after I have run out.

What have you been enjoying this month?

ELF Haul

I hadn't ordered from the eyeslipsface website in a very long time and was wondering what new products had been brought out when the old devils themselves emailed to say they had 25% off.  Not only that, they still had their 50% sale going on so well, how can a girl resist those charms? It's only a small haul but I think I got some right little goodies. 

Bamboo Angled Blush Brush - £3

Bamboo Complexion Brush - £3

Bamboo Eyshadow Brush - £3

Studio Small Stipple Brush 

I've wanted to get some new brushes for quite a while and ELF have always been a brand that sells good quality, affordable brushes.

Baked Blush

Baked Bronzer

Yes my baked obsession is still with me, I promise this is the last baked product I will buy for a couple of months. Hopefully.

Eyebrow Lifter and Filler

Benefit do a product really similar to this one that I was so close to buying last month so I wanted to try this one out to see if I like it.

Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

This was in my ELF best & worst post, obviously a best as I have bought another one. I love my Urban Decay Primer Potion but for me this product is better value for money.

I haven't tried any of these out properly yet so I will keep you updated with products that I feel desire a post, both good and bad.

Best and Worst of ELF

Eyes Lips Face, or ELF is a predominately American online brand.  ELF started in America with their $1 range and since then has continuously grown into a brand with some fantastic products.  This is where my love of make up came from, being able to purchase good quality, cheap makeup allowed me to experiment and find the obsession that I now have.  For that, like other young girls, I will always have a soft spot for ELF and do still repurchase from their website.  

Firstly, the products that I love and would gladly repurchase, some of these actually are repurchases. 

Blush and Bronzer Compact

Golden Bronzer

Translucent HD Powder

Nail Varnish

Mineralise Eyeshadow Primer

Mineral Lipsticks

Studio Blush

Blush Brush

I also love the completion brush

However, like any brand there are products that don't work for everyone and these are the ones that I really didn't like. 

Studio Makeup Mist and Set 

This is just too wet, it's like spraying a hose in your face. It has even made my mascara run. As you can see I have used this and tried it many times but every time I feel like it ruins my makeup.

Mineral Foundation

I did used to really like this and repurchased this a couple of times. As my first mineral product I didn't realise just how bad it was until I tried others from different brands. This doesn't actually do anything, it's more like a setting powder rather than a foundation.

Mineral Lipstick in Natural Nymph 

I love all the other shades I have and actually think they are very good lipsticks. But please do not buy this shade!  It is concealer in a bullet. I always come back to this because I want to make it work but it is just awful and I don't think it would work with any skin tones at all.

Tone Correcting Concealer 

This just does not have any staying power. It looks nice when you apply it and doesn't look cakey or anything. But it lasts an hour maximum, I have used it on myself and about 4 other friends, all having the same problem.

Stipple Brush

I heard such good things about this brush and actually made a whole order just because I wanted this brush. I can't use it. If the bristles were half the size or if they were much denser then I think this would be brilliant.  It is really hard to work with and I found it doesn't place the product evenly onto the skin so can create patchiness. 

This is the 'Brilliant for Anyone Getting into Makeup' Category. 

The Beauty Encyclopedia 

This product has actually changed a little bit now to the Beauty Book which doesn't include the cream eyeshadows any more, which to be honest is the best decision that ELF has ever made. It now includes a handy mirror. The reason I have made a whole new category for this one product is because the colours are beautiful. There are three Beauty Books which contain different shades but all of them I think are lovely. The problem is that the eyeshadows are very chalky and don't last very well on the lid.  However, this palette also includes a handy step by step guide on how to apply the eyeshadows and where to place them. Therefore, I think this would be perfect for any girl that wants to experiment with different colours but won't need the staying power as they won't be allowed to wear it at school and hopefully won't be going on any nights out.

If you follow me on Twitter you will have seen that I made a sneaky ELF order the other day which was the reason I decided to do this post.  There is 25% discount on everything at the moment when you spend a certain amount. I think it ends today though so hurry up if you want to place an order.

Shopping My Stash - August

I am on a mission to try and use more of my products, I hope to rediscover some favourites and also save some money by going on a mini spending ban! GOOD LUCK!  Anyway, I have chosen four products that I plan to use as much as I can over the coming month. I've set myself a target of at least two of these a day.

NYX Cream Blush
I am slightly cheating because even though there is only one pictured, I am including any NYX cream blushes, I have five shades so plenty to choose from.  Cream products are good for summer months as they are light on the skin and very rarely do they become cakey on the skin.

ELF Lipsticks
Ok this is the last one I'm going to cheat on, again I am allowing myself to use all shades that I have.  To be honest, I don't know how I'm going to style out Natural Nymph as this is my least favourite lipstick out of my whole collection.  These are good everyday lipsticks, though I find that some of the shades can enhance dry cracked lips.

Natural Collection Bronzer
I am currently loving the duey bronzed look, one swirl of bronzer and I think I'm Mila Kunis.  This bronzer works well on a matte base because it gives a nice glowy finish without looking like a discoball.

No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil
I have decided to add this to the mix because I actually don't wear eye liner, or very occasionally, and I have been eyeing up the Pixi eye liners.  The rational part of me managed to take control and not pay £11 on something that I will try out once and never let see daylight again.  So this is a prime example of me trying to discover my love for certain products.

Today I managed 3 out of the 4, not bad, I left out cream blush as I wanted a shimmery blush to go with the bronzer. (I might not have thought this through as well as I'd hoped)

Thanks for reading, but sshhh, remember it's a secret

x