Sleek Makeup Collection

I am a big fan of high street makeup I think in the last couple of years high street makeup has undergone a huge change and it's great. One of my favourite brands is Sleek Makeup. When I was first getting into makeup I remember being drawn to the Storm eyeshadow palette, at the time it was actually quite hard to fine good quality eyeshadow palettes. I was instantly hooked and haven't looked back since. 

I have developed my collection of Sleek products, you will notice that it's powder product dominated and that's because I know the products work for me and I love them, but I do promise to reach out and try liquid based products from now on :)

Anyway let's get on with the good stuff..

Storm Palette

Au Natural Palette

Oh So Special Palette

Respect Palette

Contour Kit

Face Form Kits

 Shades - Medium and Light

Blushes

Shades - Rose Gold and Suede

Blush by 3 Palettes

Shades - Pumpkin and Lace

Eyebrow Kit

Shade - Light

Sleek Oh So Special Eyeshadow Palette

I received the Oh So Special palette from Glossybox quite a few months ago and I think it's probably one of the best products that they gave me.  I love the pigmentation and longevity of Sleek eyeshadow palettes. This palette is available from Superdrug for £7.99 which I think is a good price for 12 shades and the quality as they blend beautifully.  I like now that Sleek have introduced names to their shades even though they are printed on a separate sheet of plastic so most people will probably throw it away with the box. I like how all the shades in the palette are compatable with each and there is a good combination of matte and shimmery shades. The palette is brilliant for day or evening looks and has been my 'go to' palette for weekends away recently, especially as it comes with a massive mirror.

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

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.

February Favourites

I didn't wear a lot of makeup towards the end of the month so these are manly items that I was really enjoying before I got ill.  

No7 Essential Moisture Cream - I've had this for a while and seem to dabble in and out of it mainly because I wasn't a fan of its thick consistency. Since putting this in my Project 10 Pan I have learnt the importance about using the right products for my skin type. Having dry skin means I have had to get used to using a thicker formula than before and so now I really like this and can see a difference in my skin.

Models Own Northern Lights - Part of the Wonderland collection that was released in September I tried for ages to get hold of this but was sold out. I am not normally a fan of glitter nail polishes as they can take so long to get off. I made an exception for this shade as I really like it and looks really nice. You can see a NOTD using Northern Lights here.

HD Brow Kit - I received this back in the Summer via a Glossybox subscription. For me, this is one of those products that you don't realise how good it is until you use something else. I went back to my ELF brow kit and it did nothing for me. I prefer using powder over wax or pencils nowadays, it looks the most natural. This kit is lovely, mine is in shade Foxy, and all 4 matte shades can also be used as eyeshadows. I use the lighter brown shade for everyday and the darker shade for nights out because it balances out the fact I would be wearing more makeup than on an everyday basis. 

Maybelline Eyeshadow - I don't even remember buying this but I found it when I was rooting around for items to include in my Project 10 Pan, which seems to be taking over my life according to this post. Anyway, I really like this and I'm not saying it is a complete dupe but it does remind me a little of Sin by Urban Decay. It has more of a purple undertone and it sheerer but it is easier when travelling to take one single shadow than a full palette.

Sleek Blush by 3 Lace - I love this little palette of blushes, really good quality and lovely vibrant shades. I know Sleek love a bold colour but I really hope they bring out a more natural palette for everyday use. The red can be a bit scary at 9 o'clock Monday morning.

L'Oreal Caress Lipsticks - I love these and are probably my favourite lipsticks for a sheer moisturised look to my lips. I love the packaging, the shade range and how lovely they feel on the lips. I have a few of these now so I am planning on doing a collection/review on these as they are perfect for the warmer months when you don't want anything too heavy.

Valentine's Evening Makeup

Every year Valentine's day rolls around, some people love it, and some people loathe it, even those with someone to share it with.  Me and my boyfriend are planning a belated date night due to his work schedule but this the look that I will wear when we do finally get round to spending an evening together.  Note: I am by no means calling this a tutorial, I wanted to share a post that I thought some of you might be interested in and maybe give you some ideas.

Used:

Sleek Storm Palette - Gold

Sleek Respect Palette - Otis Red, O'Jays and Vandellas

Sleek Blush by 3 Lace - Gruipure

Super+ BB Cream

MAC Studio Fix Foundation

Sleek Contour Kit

Maybelline One by One Mascara

HD Brow Kit

Collection 2000 Illuminating Concealer

Rimmel Apocalips - Nova

This is my first 'look' type post so please bare with me but also please leave me any feedback in the comments below. Also, I have unintentionally used a lot of Sleek products, which I am sort of happy with as Sleek is widely available but I will aim to use more variety if I do similar posts to this again.

 

The main feature I focuses on with this look were the eyes, I wanted to create a pretty, girly but not too OTT effect. I normally keep to very neutral, natural colours, so I really enjoyed putting this look together as it is something different for me.

 I decided to use my Sleek Respect Eyeshadow Palette for most of the eye colours. First I took a fluffy brush and sweeped O'Jays all over the lid. I then took a gold shade from my Sleek Storm Palette and patted that onto the inner and middle of my lid .

The gold shade I used from this palette is the 4th shade in on the top row

I only realised when I started writing this, that I probably should have taken step-by-step photographs for you. Sorry guys, my bad!

I then went back to my Respect Palette and placed Otis Red lightly in the crease on the outter third to define my eye. I blended this with the O'Jays shade to soften the look and to add in some more red. It all might seem a bit 'ill looking' with all this red floating around, but with a domed eye brush (MAC 217 style) I applied Vandellas into the crease. I started from the outter corner of the eye and ran it all the way around the crease so that it just about came into the inner corner. Blend this really well to remove any harsh lines. I added more to the outter part of my crease to make the purple stronger.

At this stage I also when back in and applied a little bit more of the gold shade to my lid so that it was really shimmery and the colour showed vividly. With a clean domed brush I made sure all the edges were blended out and made it more smokey.

I very rarely use eyeliner so instead I ran the purple shade two thirds of the way under my eye. for the other third I placed the rose gold O'Jays shade. I decided on the orangey tone to bring out the green and blue tones in my eyes. I also applied a coat of One by One mascara, natural false lashes would look great here as well though. I used the HD Brow Kit to fill in my brows.

For date makeup I like to keep my skin looking as natural and illuminating as possible. I used BB Cream all over my face to even my skin tone out and cover small imperfections. I do get redness on my cheeks sometimes and I also have a few breakouts so I blended a very small amount of Studio Fix Fluid in certain places to cover those up. As I do want a nice radiance to the skin, I applied a generous amount of illuminating concealer under the eyes, on the brow bone and down my nose.

I contoured to shape my cheeks, and so that my boyfriend will never notice that I actually have a chubby face. As the eye look does contain shimmer I thought I would use a blush that contain a small amount of shimmer too. I decided on a blush that was very similar to the O'Jays shade I had used on the eyes. The rose gold shade in the Lace Blush by 3 palette is so lovely and very pigmented, I only applied a little to the tops of my cheek bones.

For the lips, I wanted to keep this neutral and matte. I think a glossy or bold lip would have been too much. I used the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers in Nova, which is showing up more purple than it actually is. 

General Tips:

Normally I would always say that the makeup you put on your face is completely up to you, and to create a look that you like and are happy with. Well, I'm not saying you shouldn't still do that, but whenever I'm doing my makeup for a date with my boyfriend I tend to do my makeup how he likes it. This is because even though I'm not really trying to impress him as such, I still want him to see me and realise how lucky he is (well maybe not lucky but you know what I mean). Usually, boys agree with the less is more rule, which is why a natural dewy look is normally a winner.

In most cases I very much doubt you're boyfriend will go 'Oh I love that smokey eye that you do', well it would freak me out if mine did. So you might need to think back to a time when he has actually commented on how nice you look.  He might have said your eyes look nice, so try to remember the colours you used that made them pop out at him. Or in my case it's a 'what not to wear'. My boyfriend cannot stand shiny, bright, bold lips. At All! Therefore, I avoid anything that he thinks will transfer or stain his lips.

Even by using one trick that you know he prefers, hopefully a little will go a long way. 

Eyeshadow Palettes Collection

If you saw my 52 things for 52 weeks post, you will have seen one of the goals I have set myself is to take some form of control and not buy any eyeshadows for the entire year.  5 weeks down 47 to go!  I thought this would be the perfect time to show my collection of palettes. For some people this might seem excessive and for others, won't even be a drop in the sea. Personally, this is more than enough, baring in mind that I also use smaller palettes and single eyeshadows that aren't shown.

Urban Decay - Naked Palette

Urban Decay - Naked 2 Palette

Superdrug - Earth Eyes Palette

Sleek - Storm Palette

Sleek - Respect

Sleek - Au Natural Palette

Sleek - Oh So Special Palette

MUA - Heaven and Earth Palette

MUA - Undressed Palette

Next - Just Pink Palette

Beauty UK - 4 Palette

So you can probably see a theme here not only the shades that I tend to go for, but also the brands, for me MUA and Sleek palettes are the best from the highstreet. The Urban Decay Naked palettes are the only highend palettes that I own so I can't really comment on other highend eyeshadows.

You may also think that quite a few of these seem practically untouched. That is because I never used to wear eyeshadow on an everyday basis, when I'm in a rush it's the part of my makeup that I miss out.  It's something that I am working on though.

I will be doing full posts on some of these palettes with full swatches and everything, but let me know if one does catch your eye.

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?

Glossybox - December

I was so excited about receiving this box, as it is Christmas eve I guess we could call this my first Christmas present, to myself. This month I think Glossybox has really stepped up with the Bejewelled Christmas edition, firstly, by changing the packaging slightly and bringing a Winter theme to the box.  Also the information card is now a paper leaflet with a pyramid of diamonds on the front, which reminds me of Ferrero Rochers. As well as the normal information on the products, this month Glossybox has included some discounts for the subscribers to treat themselves after our rigorous shopping sprees. 

Also my lighting has been very weird so sorry if the pictures are a bit dark.

Rituals - Magic Touch

This moisturiser is one of Rituals bestselling products and is supposed to intensively nourish and strengthen the skin while stimulating your senses. I haven't tried this out yet but if you saw my last months favourites you would have seen I've been loving my Rituals hand cream, so I cannot wait to get this on me. It smells amazing as well.

Sleek Makeup i-Devine Palette - Oh So Special

This could not have come at a better time, I have wanted this palette for ages and have been toying with the idea of buying it.  What stopped me is because I already have so many palettes that I wanted to get good use out of them first. I really love the Sleek palettes, the 12 shades are always beautifully pigmented and good quality. They are so handy for travelling too as it contains a massive mirror and normally the shades are a mixture of matte and shimmery as well as being good for day or night makeup. 

Seche Nail Lacquer - Hypnotic

I love when Glossybox included highend nail varnishes, because though I love nail varnishes I very rarely buy highend ones at full price. So at £9.95 I think it's brilliant that it's included this month. The downside to this polish is I don't like the shade, I have just got into pastel blue nails, dark blue almost black is just one step too far for me I am afraid. I would have much preferred the burgundy shade that is in the information booklet, but you can't win them all I guess. I am glad I've tried the formula and seen the finish but this shade just is not for me. 

Anatomicals - Fruity Lip Gloss

Oh I wish I could skip this product, for me this lip gloss spoils this month's box. Firstly, I'm not a big fan of the brand itself, I think they try to copy Soap & Glory's chatty ways on their products and fails miserably, I don't find it cute or funny. I think the other brands this month are quite sophisticated and are brought down by this child-like product.  This particular product to me just seems like it should have Barbie written on it or something. I'm not a fan of squeezy tube lip glosses anyway because after 3 uses they end up as one messy gunk, but paired with the sweet scent I just really don't think it goes with the theme or the rest of the products this month.  I might be being snobby, I don't know.

Milk_Shake - Conditioning Whipped Cream

I know the name sounds a bit funny, but this is a leave in conditioner in the form of a mousse. You apply it to clean, damp hair, so after you've got out of the shower and it really looked like whipped cream. It smells amazing, like a really creamy milkshake. For the 200ml full size product this retails for around £15 so again a product that I would never have thought about picking up. I can't wait to try this out as well, especially as I had my hair cut the other day so it's nice to find products that will keep your hair in good condition.

Bonus

Glossybox - Blusher

The shade of this blusher is called Glossy Rosewood and apart from the obvious, that it's a Glossybox product, I don't know why they've called it glossy as it's actually a matte finish. It is a dusty pink shade sort of boarding on the mauve undertones and I think it is very pretty. It's very pigmented and blends nicely, in the description it states they are supposed to be long lasting so hopefully this blush will be a hit with a lot of people. 

I have been really impressed with this box and has definitely improved from when I first joined Glossybox back in the summer. There were 4 full products this month so even though not all were to my personal taste I am not complaining.