Sunday 12 October 2014

The Reading Tag

from left to right Tess of the d'Ubervilles, Rebecca, The Color Purple, Pride and Prejudice, Of Mice and Men, The Scarlet Letter, Animal Farm and 1984
I haven't written a tag post in ages and after seeing The Reading Tag on Fay Olivia's blog a little while ago, I knew this was one which would be perfect for me because although I am quite lazy with reading, I am quite the book worm when I get into it. They're also something a little different to post and let you get to know me better. I won't tag anyone specific just anyone reading this who wants to give it a go. Be sure to let me know if you do.

Do you have a certain place for reading at home?
Usually on my bed but I've been known to actually travel around the house and sit/ hang upside down in every little space until I'm comfortable.

Bookmark or random piece of paper?
I can never find my bookmarks so usually just whatever I have to hand. Recently I've used post its.

Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or a certain number of pages?
In general I can just stop at the end of a page or even paragraph. Stopping midway through a sentence is of course unthinkable.

Do you eat or drink when reading?
Reading is probably the only activity I don't consider snack- appropriate. Perhaps just a cup of tea.

One book at a time or several at once?
One at a time unless they're educational/ completely polar. I'm very easily confused.

Reading at home or everywhere?
Most of the time at home, particularly if I'm really into a book though I'll sometimes take one along on train journeys in case I run out of Facebook/ Instagram updates to scroll through.

Reading out loud or silently in your head?
Completely silently. I used to get so frustrated with my friend in school who read out loud next to me because I'd become so distracted.

Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?
I'll admit I did this when I was younger (and it gave me a rather confusing expectation for the end of HP7 - imagine knowing Dumbledore/ Snape are dead but discovering them speaking on the last page). Now I wouldn't dare.

Breaking the spine or keeping it new?
Keep it new through fear of it crumbling. I learned this the hard way when I broke the spine of my teacher's personal copy of A Scarlet Letter and had to hand it back to her in bits. 

Do you ever write in books?
Ever since I had to annotate and highlight my copy of The Great Gatsby in school I can't stop. I could be reading anything and feel the urge to note at the side that I like the way it is written or what it could represent. Its a curse.

What are you currently reading?
I'm between books just now. I finally admitted defeat with A Tale of Two Cities and now my university books have taken over. I think my next will be Pride and Prejudice though.
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Sunday 5 October 2014

Most Used Makeup Brushes

Hey Everyone!

Today, with my makeup brushes freshly washed (a task which had become way overdue), I thought I'd talk a bit about which ones I use most frequently and what for. I don't see many, if any, of these kinds of posts around but I would be really interested to read other peoples as often makeup brushes can be used for a variety of applications outside of what they're designed for. 

I have 3 main brands of make up brushes that I use: Real Techniques (love these!), Elf and Scarlett & Crimson (bought in the Boots January sale a couple of years ago). I've yet to invest in any high end makeup brushes: I've had my eye on MAC ones for ages but to be honest I'm scared they won't live up to their price and I'll be disappointed. 
selection of face and eye makeup brushes against floral duvet background
From left to right:
Real Techniques Stippling Brush: This is my HG makeup brush (if that is a thing). I've used it everyday since I bought it and I find it is best to apply foundation although also works well for cream blush. I think it might be time to buy a new one though as because the bristles are so dense and I use it so often, it is stained and doesn't wash up as well as the others.
Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush: I'm not at all into this kind of brush for foundation as I think its hopeless at blending, especially from the face to the neck, but recently I've been using it to apply concealer and it works a treat. Its just the right size and shape.
S&C Powder Brush: While this brush does tend to shed the odd hair, it applies bronzer and blush really nicely and picks up just the right amount of product. Its also really soft after a wash.
Real Techniques Contour Brush: This is one of the brushes I use as it is supposed to be used: for contouring the hollows of the cheeks and hairline etc. It works perfectly with Benefit Hoola bronzer and again is the perfect size and shape. It also applies highlighter really well.
Real Techniques Buffing Brush: It took me a while to get to grips with this brush: I used it for a while for foundation but found it didn't provide as good coverage as the stippling brush. I also used it for powder but it was just too dense. I've settled using it as a base blender- taking away any harsh lines, and I think this is how it works best.
Elf Professional Bronzing Brush: I don't think the angle of this brush makes it the best for bronzing but it is great for blush, or as I use it, for highlight. It applies my MAC MSF beautifully and really quickly. 
Elf Professional Eyelash & Brow Wand: I use this for running through my brows before I fill them in to take away any foundation or concealer that are sitting from base application. This is also a really handy tool for plucking my eyebrows.
S&C Sponge Brush and Blender Brush: I'm improvising with the names of the S&C brushes because they don't actually have any. I have 3 eye brushes that I use religiously: these two and the next. I know most people hate sponge eyeshadow brushes but I find them really easy to use and they don't waste any product. I use the blender brush continuously as I apply each shade which I find to increase the lasting power of the eyeshadow.
Elf Professional Lip Defining Brush: I've never been one to use lip brushes, and since this is pretty soft and fluffy, I use it to apply darker eyeshadows to the crease, outer corner and lower lashline. Its a really good size and density for each of these jobs.
Powder Brush: I've had this for so long that the brand name has actually rubbed off but its pretty much a standard, super soft powder brush that applies powder liberally.
Elf Professional Eyeshadow Brush & Wilko Eyeshadow Brush: I don't use these brushes very frequently but they've been included because they're in my makeup brush holder. These aren't as good as the eyeshadow brushes I've already mentioned, but are alright to apply a bit of matte brown to the crease on top of my Maybelline Color Tattoo. 

I didn't realise I would go into quite so much detail in this post- well done if you got through it! I like that most makeup brushes will last a good few years as long as you look after them. I was recently treated to the Real Techniques Starter Set (eye brushes) for my birthday. I've had my eye on them for the longest time but its taking me a while to integrate them into my everyday routine. When I'm more familiar I'll maybe do a full review.

What are your favourite makeup brushes? Which ones should I try?