Nars Blush in Gilda

 

 

Gilda, a coral toned pink shade, is my first blush from Nars, and definitely not my last.  I love how soft and easy this blends into the skin.  As a matte shade I was worried it could look a little flat, but it doesn't. I applies nicely to leave a lovely flushed look to the cheeks.  It's very pigmented so you only need a light hand.  On my skin this blush lasts all day which is one of the main reasons I want to buy some more shades. There is only 4.8 grams so at £21.50 they aren't the most cost effective blush on the market but I bought mine from ASOS when they had 20% student discount.  Nars packaging is lovely, sleek black with a soft rubbery cover.  However, it can get a bit grubby after a few days in the old makeup bag, so for those with a touch of OCD, I understand if you want to keep the box.  Overall this is a lovely blush and there is such a good array of shades that even if this shade doesn't float your boat I would recommend having a look at others.

HD Brow Kit - Foxy

This is probably not the first time you have seen this little eyebrow palette pop up.  Mine is in foxy and is for brunette hair. I mix the two brown shades together to get my brow colour as there isn't a perfect shade for me. Nevertheless, I cannot see me mixing up my brow products any time soon. The powder is soft yet can define and fill to make your brows look amazing. I don't use a brow gel as this powder stays all day. 

Being all four matte shades I have tried to double this up as an eyeshadow pallete too. I seem to be the only one, but I don't like the shades as shadows.  I feel they are too stiff to work with as they do not blend as nicely as I would have liked them to. This is not a bad thing though, as I say, keeps the brows looking good.  The pale shade is nice for an underbrow bone highlight and the black is really good for liner. The little double-ended brush that comes with the palette is not the worst in the world either, combined with the handy compact mirror inside, I love this palette to take away with me. I don't know what I'm going to do when the browns run out.

No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream

I never used to be a massive fan of this moisturiser as it does have a thick consistency and thought it was better suited towards a night cream.  However, since being pampered and having a facial at a Dove Spa, I have done a U-turn and now realise the importance of having a good moisturiser.  I have dry skin and since using No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream on a daily basis I have noticed such a change in my skin. Firstly, it is a lot softer even before I moisturise but also I find my foundation lasts so much longer on my skin too.

No7 have a lovely system where they colour coordinate their products with skin type. All of No7 products follow the sam system that either the packaging or the actual product itself changes depending on which skin type it is aimed at.

Green - oily

White - all/normal

Pink - dry

Purple - very dry

 The packing has since changed since I purchased mine, but I do find the tub slightly bulky especially if you go away often. Also my lid does fix and sit properly so comes loose quickly. At £9 I think this is such a good product, it does sink into the skin relatively quickly, considering how thick it is. Also no7 always have deals or the £5 off vouchers floating around so I would definitely recommend picking this up if you are looking for a new day cream.

Jeffrey Campbell Tan Lace Litas

I present my very first pair of Jeffrey Campbell shoes! I filmed the unboxing when I received them, so now i thought I would give you a little update.  I am still so in love with these shoes. If you wanna see them in action, I show them on in the video. Though the heel is a good 5 inches tall, they were not uncomfortable at all. I am proud to say that I kept them on all night, even though all the other girls had taken their heels off.  I was still able to dance and walk perfectly (not that my dancing is perfect to begin with). I was shocked as the boys were even complimenting my shoes! I am so happy and so grateful to my boyfriend for buying these for me.  Definitely money well spent. 

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.

Samples, Samples and more Samples

I seem to have gotten into a silly habit of collecting samples and testers of products. I am on a mission to use most of them up.  I am going on holiday soon so the plan is to take samples of bits and pieces and try them out while I am away.  This isn't even all of it as I have perfume and foundation testers that are not photographed.  I think I've got caught in this trap as I always forget to look in the drawer that homes all of my samples. I'm not a hoarder, honest.

Let me know if you are guilty of this too or if you have a good routine to use up all of the samples that you receive. 

Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid Lipstick - Shocking Coral

If you are a regular on the blogging scene, you would have already heard about these little beauties.  Maybelline released a line of bright matte shade a few months ago and especially in the US people were raving about them.  I have only really gotten to grips with my shade Shocking Coral in the last month as I feel that bright shade are easier to wear in the summer time.

The Vivid lipsticks come in this bright orange neon packing which I love as it brightens up my lipstick drawer and make it so easy to find in a rush.  

The shade that I chose is a bright coral which does have a strong pink undertone.  I love this for nights out, or for that instant pop of colour during the day.

All the shades in this range are matte so are very long lasting on the lips.  They are also really opaque so they do make such an impact on a look.  They do have some what of a creamy texture but because I have such dry lips I do use a lip balm underneath.  If you don't have chapped lips then I don't think you will find them at all drying.

I definitely think these are the most vibrant and pigmented shades available on the UK high street at the moment. Word on the street is that the shade Fushia Flash is a dupe for MAC's Candy Yum Yum, but as I don't own either I can't comment on how true that is.

As I have yellow toned skin I found Shocking Coral to suit me quite well, but there is an amazing bright pink which I think would compliment blondes amazingly.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid lipsticks have been compared to MAC Amplified finish lipsticks (shades and formulation), but at around £7 from Boots, they are the perfect way to add colour into your look this summer.  The only criticism I have is that there is only a small shade range, especially in the UK, I am yet to find the shade Vivid Rose that I know is available in the US, I may need to get Electric Orange instead. I really hope Maybelline bring out some more shades in the summer.

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

YouTube Time and May Favourites

A little message to let you know I have taken the plunge and put myself on YouTube.  This is such a massive step for me considering that two months ago I didn't even have a single picture of myself on this blog.

I would love it if you could check it out and let me know any comments you have.  More videos coming up soon, so keep those peepers out.

Channel: Buttons and Bows X

May Favourites: See what I have been loving the past month


Thank you guys x

Find Your Perfect Foundation With PS Beauty

Finding the right foundation can be hard work. Decisions on the correct coverage, finish and longevity.  All that before you even look at the shade range and the whole pink tone/yellow tone business.  The whole experience can be very overwhelming for anyone.  That was until PS Beauty came along.  PS Beauty is an online personalised foundation finder. 

Firstly, the website asks you questions on the type of skin you have, and on your preferences for your perfect foundation.

You then choose all the foundations that you have previously tried and your thoughts on those foundations.  The system can now pin point exactly what you want from your foundation, including consistency, longevity and value for money.

Then voila, three foundations that are personalised to you and your tastes.

The whole process is done so quickly I am really impressed with website. I know this tool will help me save money as I can now tell if a foundation is right for me before buying it. PS Beauty  has also confirmed that I need to try YSL Touche Eclat Foundation, thanks PS Beauty.  Find your perfect foundation here.

Bourjois Health Mix Foundation

As we are in Spring, for the majority of us, our skin becomes a shade or two darker, and we leave behind the heavy matte foundations that masked our Winter skin.  I have continuously repurchased Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation over the last couple of years and for me is one of my all time favourites.

I have to say high street foundations are a pain to colour match.  You can be minding your own business putting strips of foundation on your neck in Boots and trust me you will always get a funny look from someone, and even then it's hard to tell which one actually matches you due to the artificial lighting. Ok rant over, my point is that, this foundation matches me perfectly. The best colour match of any of my foundations, highend included.  All the shades do tend to be more yellow or neutral toned so bare that in mind if you are pink toned.

The packaging, I have had to take the whole of the top off because the pump stopped working. So for a long time I didn't really reach for this foundation as it became a bit of a pain. I like the fact there's a little cylinder inside the plastic bottle that moves up as you use the product, so you can see how much is left. It might be that little mechanism that made the pump stop working actually, hhmm oh well I still like the idea.  Also a foundation that comes with a pump is always a winner in my book.  Saves wasting a lot of foundation and is not as messy as foundations that do not come with a pump.

On to the actual foundation and the first thing that I noticed was the scent.  It's kinda fruity which is such a change from the paint-like-stench that most foundations smell off.  This is due to the 'fruit therapy' that this foundation claims to have.  Key fruit ingredients help the affect of your skin.  There is apricot for radiance, melon for hydration, apple for anti-oxidants and ginger for energy.  I don't know if all this hocus pocus is completely true, however, I do know I love the finish that this foundation gives.  A lovely, dare I say it, dewy, hydrated glow to the skin.

I would say this is a light to medium coverage foundation.  It covers my redness but not necessarily those nasty spots but it evens the skin out nicely.  Another claim is that it is supposedly meant to last 16 hours, I don't think it lasts anywhere near that time, and is the one thing that lets this foundation down.  It can become a bit patchy as it fades so I always use a primer underneath to help with the longevity. 

Retailing for £9.99, it is one of the more pricer foundations on the high street.  There is also a serum version on the market and recently the packaging has had a revamp.  I will continue to buy this foundation as it is a brilliant everyday foundation for me.

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Face Primer

I have been really getting into primers in the last couple of years and I have a selection of lower and higher end versions. Primer for me is really important, a lot of people do not use it and think it's an unnecessary product.  I like to use face primers for three reasons, firstly to give me an even, smooth base to work from. Secondly, to make my makeup last longer. Lastly, I do have some primers that make the skin more illuminating or counter redness ( I guess this counts as creating a base). 

The Rimmel Fix and Perfect Face Primer is my everyday primer and retails at £6.99. I think this is an average price for the highstreet, but I think there was some sort of deal going on when I purchased mine, so I think I might have got it for free, so not really purchasing.

Anyway, the white packaging is quite unusual, I don't love it, I don't hate it. I guess it makes it easy to find in the bottom of a makeup bag. I like the squeezable tube, and thinking about it all of the face primers that I have come in the same style tube. There is 30ml of product which I think is a really good amount and this has lasted me so long already, and as I said I use this everyday. The product itself is too white in colour which I have found to be unusual as well, again it doesn't affect the effectiveness of the product so I am indifferent really.

The thing I like most about this primer is the texture, I really like how it is silicon based. It glides beautifully onto the skin and unlike a creamy texture it leaves the skin smooth, both to touch and also how you can feel it on the face. It does sink into the skin but I like to leave it for a couple of minutes so I know it has had time to prep the skin. This is lovely to create a nice even base to apply your makeup, when the skin is properly moisturised and primed, you will notice how much easier it is to apply foundation to, and also how much long it is will stay put.

I find this does keep my makeup in place for longer, I'm not a massive fan on powdering my face in order to set it which is why I like using primers. Depending on the foundation with this primer I wouldn't say you would be able to put your makeup on in the morning, do a full day at work and then go out in the evening with the same face of makeup. However, I do think this is perfect for those foundations that give a lovely dewy finish but that do not have brilliant lasting power. For example I love this with Bourjois Healthy Mix.

This product claims to smooth, resurface, brighten, mattify and protect.  I think I should mention the scent, I think some people might find it a tad off putting, I personally really like it but it is a little strange.

I probably would repurchase this as I do like this during the day, there are others that will keep your makeup looking fresher for longer, but for a highstreet primer I think this is really good and at such a good price. There is also another version 001, I don't know what the difference is between the two except that the other one is an apricot colour but I haven't seen it sold in the UK.