Makeup Brush Chat

I'll use any excuse to post a picture of freshly washed makeup brushes. It's such a big task, forever on my to do list, that when it finally gets done I go crazy with the camera so I can look back and remember that one day they were like new. Its quite sad really, but anyone who uses makeup brushes will understand the struggle. I don't use any kind of specialist brush cleaning products (if you do and would recommend it, let me know) but instead I just use hot water and the mini shampoo or soaps you get from hotels. In my opinion, as long as they lather up and are rinsed thoroughly, they do the job totally fine. The only downside is my hand is really wrinkled after spending more than half an hour under running water.
It was quite a few years ago now that I saw the idea of using old candle jars as brush holders and I've been doing it ever since. These are the perfect size and make finding the brush I want much easier than if I were to search around the bottom of a makeup bag. 
The brushes I'm really loving at the moment are my MAC 217 blending brush, my RT eyeliner brush and my RT expert face brush.You have probably heard enough about the cult 217 brush to know that its super soft and one of the best brushes for blending out there. I only have one MAC makeup brush and I'm so glad that I went for this one. I'm a RT loyal overall though, as you can see from the photo. I've never used angled brushes and they've always been neglected in my collection. However, I've found a love for the eyeliner brush since I started filling my eyebrows in with eyeshadow. Its really precise, dense and picks up just the right amount of product. I've also been using the RT expert face brush a lot lately for applying both foundation and concealer. It blends both products so easily into the skin and has a really high density too. I'd say its as near to a sponge as a brush is going to get while maintaining precision. Its an ideal size for applying base products too. Some of my RT brushes I've had for upwards of 3 years and still they never shed a single hair. I've also got to give a special mention to my rose gold eyelash curlers which came in a Ted Baker set. They're so pretty!
What's your favourite makeup brush?

It's Worth The Hype!

Even those who have been living under a rock in the beauty blogging world (ahem- me) have wanted to get their hands on the much coveted MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick- a matte nude shade made famous by Kylie Jenner's signature makeup look. I often talk myself out of buying hyped up makeup- usually because its too expensive or because I worry I'll be disappointed. I have scrolled through endless photographs of swatches and picked this up at every MAC counter I've passed over the last year but I've never actually taken the plunge and bought it. Last week though I was so pleased to receive it for my birthday (ah!).
I absolutely love a nude lip and I have used this every day since I bought it. It is very close to my actual lip colour and is a perfect mix of beige and subtle pink tones. It applies completely matte and stays put for much longer than anything else I usually wear (a good few hours at least). Usually I find matte lipsticks drying but this isn't in the slightest. It also has the staple MAC lipstick vanilla scent. I'm so excited to try different makeup looks with this, wear it with liner and mix it with lip creams and other shades. It will be my go-to for the foreseeable and is absolutely worth the hype surrounding it.
What's your favourite cult product?

Current Beauty Wishlist

Having submerged myself back in the blogging community, it was only a matter of time before the length of my wishlist started to increase. This, combined with the fact I'm trying to save money, has meant that I've began to crave major makeup shopping (and a winning lottery ticket). I've been obsessed with Real Techniques makeup brushes for such a long time now and my absolute favourite, the stippling brush, should definitely be duplicated in my collection. Really, that's the only item of the following I can actually justify buying as my makeup collection is a little excessive already. I definitely don't need any more, but that doesn't stop me wanting it.

YSL Shocking Mascara

NARS At First Sight Eye & Cheek Palette

Sleek Face Form in Light

Lush BIG Shampoo

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer

MAC Lipstick Kelly Yum Yum

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick

RT Stippling Brush

RT Blush Brush

Have you tried any of these products? What are your current makeup covets?

Updated Everyday Makeup

Hey Everyone!
I've said time and time again that, for me, every extra minute of sleep in the morning is precious. For all my procrastination during the rest of the day, from 7.45- 8.20 my routine is timed to the second. Because of this, I've honed my everyday makeup routine to the essentials so that I don't waste any unnecessary time doing it but I still look (semi) presentable.

Products worn: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer Bourjois Round Pot in Rose D'Or MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle S&G Archery in Brownie Points No7 Stay Precise Liquid Liner in Black No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara in Black Maybelline Babylips in Cherry Me Avon Translucent Powder
It takes me roughly 10 mins to do this makeup (with the exception of lip balm which is applied while running round to the bus stop). I've been wearing this to both work and school for months and in terms of lasting power its pretty fab. 
The products I'm using have switched up quite a lot since my last FOTD post. I've reverted back to my Rimmel foundation and No7 liquid liner- in my eyes no other liner can compete. As usual I'm switching up mascara pretty frequently and just using what I have opened at the time. I wouldn't describe this one by No7 as 'exceptional', as the name suggests, but it doesn't smudge (which is quite the feat for my oily eyelids) and is good in terms of adding length and not clumping. 
I'm still loving Maybelline Baby Lips- I have countless lip products yet I find myself reaching for this every single day. I love the way it smells and the fact it doesn't do anything weird (like going patchy or leaving an outer line- ew) when it fades. I've started using concealer again because my skin is in quite a state at the moment. I'll possibly do a post with more info on what I'm doing to try and manage that soon. Ooh and big news on the makeup front. During my four month absence, I finally started filling in my eyebrows. I'm planning an in depth review of the S&G brow tint & pencil but basically I'm really loving it- it makes eyebrows so easy to do- even for a complete novice like me. Finally, on my cheeks is my usual combo. I'm getting a bit tired of the Rose D'Or blush since I've not used any other blush in months- I'm looking forward to looking out my cream blush for summer. 
Well that's me over and out for tonight folks. Hope you all have a great weekend. There will be a Primark haul up on Sunday so look out for that :)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle Review

Hey Everyone!
You know when you want a product for ages, and ages, and ages and you finally get it and its really disappointing and not worth it? Well this is not one of those situations at all!!
I'm sure by now you'll be aware (by my constant references to it in blog posts and tweets) that I'm head over heels with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle at the moment. It was a birthday gift from my cousin and I honestly can't believe I have gone so long without having it.
The packaging is very sophisticated and high end- as with all MAC products it comes in a sturdy black plastic case with flecks of silver. The baked powder looks absolutely gorgeous- very marble like. The only problem I have with this product (getting it out of the way quickly) is that its quite messy and the powder gets all over the packaging even when its just sitting on a flat surface all day. I just use my brush to clean up most of it though.
To apply, I use a medium sized fluffy powder brush and sweep and dab it up my cheekbones. A little goes a long way with this rich, almost creamy powder and it blends easily. The gold flecks catch the light beautifully and it gives a lovely glow. It is the most gorgeous highlighter I've used and in my opinion transforms your whole makeup look.
I have been wearing it with my Bourjois Rose D'Or Blush and the two compliment each other beautifully. My cheeks are now the attention grabbers of my makeup!
Although this comes with a heavy price tag, I would highly recommend this as an essential for any makeup lovers collection. It is my new HG cheek product and I don't think any other highlight will ever come close to being as good as it!
Have you tried it? What do you think?

My Surprise MAC Birthday Gifts

Hey Everyone!

I don't know about you- but for me, getting a parcel through the door is up there with Christmas morning. Therefore, as you may imagine- when I had a knock at the door a few weeks ago and the postman handed me a big black box- I was screaming with excitement (in my head of course- wouldn't want to scare him).

This is a bit of a random post as it consists mainly of photographs but I thought I'd share the experience with you step by step. Also, a hugeeeee thank you to my cousin for sending me these amazing goodies for my birthday.

I am so impressed with how MAC package their gifts- it was the biggest treat ever unwrapping it. And of course it goes without saying my cousin picked the two most amazing items (which I have been lusting after for ages!!)- MSF in Soft and Gentle and Girl About Town lipstick. I feel like squealing just writing it!

Have you purchased anything from MAC lately? Would you like to see a review of any of these?

200th Post & FOTD

Hey Everyone!

I'm back! For those of you who don't know- I was in Africa for just over two weeks and it was amazing. I feel like I have been away for ages though and I'm totally out of the loop. 

But I have returned to quite an important milestone- my 200th post! Fist pump fist pump :) I'd just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has commented and tweeted and supported me!

Cheesiness over: onto the post. This is my current FOTD. I have switched up products quite a bit lately- so thought you might like to have a look at what I'm wearing- I know I love these kinds of posts on other blogs.

Base:

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Light

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle

Avon Translucent Powder

Eyes:

MUA Single Eyeshadow in Shades 1 and 19

MUA Eye Shadow Palette in Glamour Days

L'Oreal Super Liner in Black Crystals

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara

Lips:

Avon Glazewear Sparkle Lip Gloss

Let me know if you'd like to see individual reviews of any of these products. And in the comments tell me the best thing you've done so far this summer.

FOTD: Purple/Grey Smokey Eye & Rose Lips

I'm posting everyday at 6.00pm this week: let me know in the comments if you would like me to post at set times like this more often :)

Hey Everyone!

When the stress of studying hits, one of the most enjoyable parts of the day becomes doing my makeup (is that sad?) This is one of my favourite makeup looks at the minute: a subtle smokey eye and muted pink lips.

What I'm wearing:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Bourjois Rose D'Or Blush

MUA Undressed Eyeshadow Palette

No7 Amazing Eyes Liquid Liner

L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara

MAC Plumful Lipstick

MUA Shade 9 Lipstick

This look is pretty simple but I think its really nice and is the beginnings of my winter makeup turning into spring. 

What kind of makeup look have you been wearing lately?

My First MAC Purchase! Lustre Lipstick in Plumful

I finally done it- I finally got something from MAC- wooo! Despite the never ending recommendations I read in posts or get on twitter, I actually went in completely clueless. All I knew was I wanted a lipstick. I spoke to a woman (I am actually getting worse at speaking to women at makeup counters as time goes on!) and asked her to recommend a few shades that were non-drying, added colour to lips but were still wearable on an everyday basis and had tones to match my colouring and not make my teeth look yellow. Haha I didn't ask for much! From the shades she selected for me, I was immediately drawn to Plumful- a muted crimson. I tried it on after she sanitised it (I was pretty impressed that they do that!) and I decided I really liked it. It came in at £14 - which compared to my usual £1-a-pop MUA lipsticks, was extortionate. However, I think the price is completely justifiable given the amazing quality.

Firstly, the packaging is so high quality- classic MAC- black with silver sparkles, a rounded top and MAC written in silver. There is something all-too-satisfying about the 'click' the lid makes. It has a strong vanilla smell, something which I'm not completely in love with, but it reminds me of traditional ladies' lipsticks from when I was younger, so I can live with it.

I think the actual stick of product looks darker than how it applies which is a dark rose with slight purple/brown tones. It has a very smooth application, and has quite a balmy, satin texture. In hindsight I'm so glad I got the Lustre finish as it isn't at all drying yet I still get good colour pay off. Lasting power isn't great though- maybe a few hours.

I absolutely love this lipstick. Its the perfect wear-with-anything lipstick. Its neutral enough to wear on a day to day basis but bold enough so its obvious you have something on your lips.

I have also found that it pairs really well with a few of my other lip products. It becomes more metallic and rose brown with MUA shade 9 over the top (featuring in an upcoming FOTD post) and gives a shiny hot pink pay off with Sexy Mother Pucker over the top.

MAC Plumful with S&G Sexy Mother Pucker over the top.

Overall I'm really glad I bought this and I'm excited to get lots of wear out of it!

Have you tried Plumful?

London Baby! What I Bought...