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. 

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?

Battle of the Bargain Eyeshadow Primers- Elf v MUA

Hey Everyone!

You may know that I have a lot of trouble trying to keep my eye makeup on all day- from eyeshadow creasing to mascara smudging, the problems are endless. A few months ago I ordered elf's eyelid primer (£1.50) and for Christmas I got the MUA Professional Eyes Primer (£2.50). I'm sure you will agree that if nothing else, you certainly get a good price on these products.

In terms of packaging, I prefer MUA as I think it has a slightly higher quality feel, whereas the elf primer comes in the boggest of bog standard tubes. The applicators are very similar, if not identical. I find the formula of the MUA to be slightly 'wetter' and it goes further than the elf. Both provide a smooth, sheer base for my eyeshadow which I like texture-wise. However, neither primer ensures a crease free day! I would say MUA primer has a slightly longer lasting power, but essentially, neither will last more than a few hours. In all honesty, I think the products are very, very similar, perhaps even from the same retailer with different packaging. 

Neither works wonders, yet neither is an awful product. I will continue to use both as they do provide a nice even base for eyeshadow.

My favour leans slightly towards MUA, despite the fact its more expensive, I think it does the job a little more effectively and will last longer. For the price, I would at least give it a try!

My New Favourite Shop - TKMaxx

Hey Everyone!

To me, TK Maxx has always been a shop that's just kind of 'meh'- I would buy something occasionally, for a fair price. Either my vision was badly hindered or recently TK Maxx has become a whole lot better. 

Firstly, I love their clothing. They stock an enormous range of brands, often small boutiques, meaning your unlikely to be wearing the same as someone else. They strike the perfect combination between great quality, stylish clothing and an affordable price. 

I think TK Maxx is absolutely amazing for Christmas shopping. If I had to get all of my gifts in there- I would probably manage it. They have beautiful gift sets from many different brands including Cath Kidston and Baylis & Harding, all of course at a discount price. I also discovered while browsing a couple of weeks ago a great selection of elf cosmetics Christmas sets (my eyes were popping out of my head as you can imagine). Also, their Christmas section is like a winter wonderland- ooh you get excited just looking at the selection of baubles and stockings. And the home decor section is beyond describable- shabby chic galore.

I love the very strong American theme running through the shop. As a avid (verging on obsessive) viewer of many YouTubers from across the Atlantic, I often find myself thinking 'I wish we had that here' but TK Maxx meets that wish, stocking brands like elf and NYX. 

I can say, without doubt, that it is my favourite high street shop at the moment because of its huge variety and affordability.

Where is your one stop Christmas-shopping store?

Review | ELF Eyelid Primer

As you may know, I love a smokey eye, but what is insufferably annoying is when your eye makeup rubs off in the course of a few hours. There are a great many high end eyelid primers available which I have heard raved about constantly (hello Urban Decay Primer Potion) but for a lot of us that is way out of budget. At that point I turned to ELF and found the Eyelid Primer in Sheer for a tiny £1.50.

The packaging is fairly simple yet durable- so far no leakages or faded writing. It has a really nice formula; I apply one 'swipe' onto my crease and blend all over the lid and up to the brow. I love how it gives a very even surface and colour to my eyelid and provides a great base for shadow. It sounds weird, but it actually feels soft on my eye- like a blanket or something, and is therefore really smoothing. It slightly enhances the usual colours of the eye shadow and reduces creasing, though doesn't prevent it all together. Although it doesn't work exactly as I'd hoped, this product has still become part of my everyday routine because it provides a beautiful base for eye shadow.

Have you tried this? Can you recommend any other drugstore eye primers?

Review | ELF Studio Mist & Set

Hey Everyone!

For a while, I was finding it really difficult to make my makeup stay in place all day. I found it impossible to keep it on the duration of school; with mascara ending up on my cheeks and my foundation all separated. I decided to try out some products that promised to keep makeup in place all day. One of these was ELF Studio Mist & Set Spray.

I've been eager to try a setting spray for a while, but every one seems to be way out of my budget. I discovered this one on eyeslipsface.co.uk for only £3.50. 

I spray it about 30cm from my face a few minutes after I have done my makeup. It is really refreshing and cool and absorbs into your skin within a few seconds. It has really classic packaging- a plastic spray bottle which is simple and convenient. The product doesn't have a particularly striking smell and is really just like spritzing water onto your face. It really enhances radiance yet it doesn't look wet or sweaty (ew). As for keeping makeup in place- it really does! My makeup now stays fresh looking and in place all day (except my eyeshadow still creases- with primer!). The only thing that slightly bothers me about this spray is that through the day I feel like its slightly sticky on my skin, though it not a big issue as it actually makes me think its just acting like hairspray except holding makeup in place instead of hair. Overall, I'm super happy with this product as it is such great value for money and does pretty much what it says. 

Have you tried this? What do you think of it?

How To | Contour

Hey Everyone!

I think that if you're even slightly interested in makeup, you will be familiar with the concept of contour. Just in case you have stumbled across this post via the realms of the interweb and have no clue what I'm talking about, contour is the art of shading and highlighting your face to make it appear slimmer/ more defined. Think Kim Kardashian's seemingly natural sculpted cheekbones and radiance. 

In regards to my makeup, I like to focus on one technique to master at a time. First it was buffing foundation for a flawless finish. Then it was steady-handed liquid eyeliner. Recently  it has been contour and let me tell you- its been the most difficult to master.

I think its easiest to break it down into 4 parts:

Theory

The essential principle of contour is to darken certain parts of your face to take them back and highlight others to bring them forward. You want to exaggerate the natural shadows your face by applying a dark matte powder and draw attention to parts of your face which are not oily and that could do with an extra glow.

What not to use

I tried tiredlessly for months to make contour work with numerous shimmery bronzers and powder brushes. It doesn't work. I'm not usually one to believe in the 'tools over technique' concept but for this I think tools are essential.

What to use

The essentials are a matte bronzer and a small or angled contour brush. Although I have seen a lot of people contouring with NARS Laguna and a higher end brush, some of us simply cannot afford that- so my essentials for contouring are ELF Blushing Bronzing and Blending Brush and Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Medium Matte. Highlighter doesn't pose as much of a problem so pretty much choose whatever one takes your fancy. I use MUA eyeshadow trio in Pink Sorbet- which technically isn't even a highlight- but it works for me.

Technique

Apply bronzing powder in light sweeping motions into the hollows of your cheekbones and up into your temples and hairline then down into your jaw. Then (using the same brush if you wish) apply your highlighter into a triangle shape on your temples.

I think contour gives a very dramatic look and isn't one which I wear everyday, but I think its beautiful for every now and again.

I hope this helped in some way- give it a go and let me know how you get on! As for me, I think my next makeup conquest will be perfecting how to do brows. 

Do you contour? What are your essential products?

Update | Little Chatty Post

Hey Everyone!

How are you? I thought I would write an updatey kind of post this evening (aka early hours of the morning) to fill you in on what I have been doing/ different things going on. Be warned, when I start writing at this time I go on, and on, and on.

So firstly, as many of you will know, school has started back and its pretty much full steam ahead. I'm already studying every night (well that's the plan...) as well as homework, my drama/ musical club thingy-mibobby and extra-currcular shiz (Zumba, netball etc). So life is super hectic and it leaves around half an hour of laptop time before I go to bed (and no time for soaps- sob) so posts are a bit few and far between at the mo, but thanks for sticking with me everyone!

Also, you might have noticed over the past 6 weeks I have been doing an instagram post on a Sunday. My instagram isn't really linked in with my blog, to be honest I just use it for the cool effects, but if you feel your life would be enriched by following me then do I am julz_obsessions although it is private and pretty much silent except once a week where I just upload everything. Anyway, I am actually going to cut the instagram post down to once a fortnight (still on a Sunday) because since being back at school my life is very samey-samey.

Lol I wanted to insert a picture to break up the post a bit- I hope you don't think I'm vain! This was me today :)

I haven't really got any interesting news make up wise except I'm going through a complete crisis with school in that my make up just will not stay on my face the full day- especially my mascara which gives me huge panda eyes after just a few hours wear (telescopic my friend, what are you doing?!) Oh in fact last night (Friday) I made my first ever order from ELF which I have actually been considering for ages and I just finally done it. I bought 5 things and I simply cannot explain my excitement for the parcel arriving (watch out for a haul, unboxing or review video!)

Also, some of you might remember in this post I mentioned that I bought shorts to cut, distress, bleach, dye, ombre and stud. Yea well that hasn't happened. So far the shorts are just hung up in my wardrobe, the dye in my drawer and the studs favourited on my google chrome bookmarks list. But it will happen, I just need to find some time and some nice weather (how I miss those long days of summer where I had no commitments!) I want to film it all in individual stages and make it like a 3 parter for my channel.

I think that's pretty much covered everything that's been going on with me lately. Oh I went to see The Keith Lemon Movie on Tuesday and I really liked it. To be honest, the actual movie storyline was awful, but if like me you LOVE Keith Lemon you will think the movie is great! On that note, Celebrity Juice is back- hooorahhh!! Oh and whilst I'm on the topic of TV, please comment if you watch Pretty Little Liars- I watched this weeks episode today and I am truly shocked/ horrified/ disturbed/ amazed! 

Let me know how you have been spending your time, and your thoughts on my escapades :)