Beauty Wishlist #3 Birthday Edition

So it's my Birthday on Friday! (whoop, whoop!), and although I'm not expecting or going to receive hardly, if any, of the stuff on my list, here it is...

left to right: 


Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray or Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dry Spun Finish Spray 

Think Anna from VDM or Zoe aka Zoella - Both do pretty much the same thing, and have pretty much the same ridiculous price tag. A thickening, texturising spray, that kind of doubles up as a dry shampoo/hairspray/volumizer (and breathe). Although the Bb. one is cheaper, Oribe's offering does come in a mini version. Both available at Space NK.

Bioderma or Clarins Eye MakeUp Remover  

One, a French Pharmacy Cult Classic, the other, an amazing waterproof eye makeup remover that makes everything else look like water - As much as I love the Clarins one, it does have a pretty hefty price, hence the appearance on my wishlist. And although I've never tried Bioderma, it's only available for a cheap price in Paris- yep, big 'oh'. A friend of mine is going to France so I've asked her to pick up a bottle for me, but I'm not sure if she got the message. Oh well!

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray Set

This one's a bit of a cheat as I was actually there when it was bought for me in Boots, so I'm just going to have to pretend with this one - Although this one is expensive it is actually pretty good value for money compared to the full size bottles of each one individually. This set is supposedly the go to for beachy waves and crazy curls, and includes a mini version of the Surf Foam Wash Shampoo, Surf Foam Wash Conditioner and the cult Bb. Surf Spray.


Topshop Bee's Knees Nail Polish (or any other colour for that matter)

The cheapest of the bunch - I've already expressed my love of Topshop Makeup, so of course I'm gonna love their nail polishes! I do already have 4 (oops!) but another one certainly wouldn't go amiss...

El
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How To Apply Cream Blusher

Topshop Cream Blush in SneakPeek (Magazine photo from Elle)

Cream Blush is a trend that's always growing, with every brand from Bourjois to YSL bringing their own offering into the mix. There's everything from a powder finish, to a creamy glow, but how do you actually apply it?

Cream Blush in Pot Form -  Such as Bourjois Cream Blushes, Max Factor Cream Blush.

This kind of cheek colour can be applied with a brush, but for blushes in a small pot or tub, fingers are best. Dab an peach, baby pink or even fuchsia onto your cheek, and blend in. You can use your foundation or base brush to blend if you've gone for a brighter shade to avoid harsh edges.

Cream Blush in Stick Form - For Example, Topshop Cream Blush

Lightly stripe on your chosen shade, and blend in with a face brush. I chose Topshop's Cream Blush In Sneak Peek, a very glowy, and radiance blush.

El

How To Use Clear Mascara Properly

(Picture Credit: Elle Magazine) 

When you usually think of clear mascara, the words 'pointless' and 'useless' are often at the forefront of your mind. It was the same with me, until I read Anna from VDM's post on the stuff, and my perspective was changed...

Lashes - This is an obvious one (duh, it's called mascara!), but if you aren't allowed much make up at school, or prefer natural over dramatic, then it's worth giving Miss Sporty's offering a go as it will only set you back about £3. Just wack it on bare clean lashes for volume. Or, alternatively, layer it over your existing mascara for touch-ups during the day.

Brows -  Gel any unruly brows down with same product. Fill in your brows as normal, with pencil or powder, and pop a slick of clear mascara over. Wipe the excess off on the back of your hand, and brush through brows. Although I haven't used it, MUA do another mascara option for a quid!

It's A Great Dupe For - MAC's Brow Gel, the Clear Anastasia Brow Gel, and other overpriced products of a similar nature.

El

Beauty A - Z

Over the next few months, I'm going to be doing an A-Z series on beauty, with everything from H for Hair, A for Avon and so on. The next post (there should be one every 1-2 weeks) will be A for Avon, so I'll be exploring more about the brand and what is has to offer...

El

Life Lately #1

 1//Lego Me 2//Re-watching Doctor Who in preparation for the 50th Anniversary 3//Pout Smile 4//Tickets for the Doctor Who Exhibition/Experience (I'm a Whovian) 5//Rain, Rain, Go Away! 6//Curls 7//I'm also a Miranda Fan - Such Fun 8//New Converse for Summer 9//Boats 10//Sweet Peas 11//Loved this CK Purse 12//Been Shopping (again...) 13//Tea and Toast in Leamington 14//Essie's Summer Trio

Real Techniques

Probably a few months ago now, I was stuck on which brushes to by. I walked round and round the aisles of Boots in the hope that I would find a set of brushes that were affordably priced yet good quality. I came back empty handed. A more recent update, and I've now found the gem I was looking for- the Real Techniques Brushes. I found out about them via Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo, who created the line of brushes with the same criteria as me. 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - £9.99 - I am yet to purchase the full set of Face Brushes from RT (The Core Collection) so when I saw this single brush, I picked it up. Although a tenner may initially seem pricey for it, the quality is great, and in MAC for example, you'd easily pay double that. None of the brushes are at all scratchy, and they are all synthetic which means they are ideal for use with cream shadows, blushes, and more. 

Real Techniques Shading Brush - £7.99 - This was another single brush, and again, well worth the money. It blends, shades, and softens harsh edges. In general, its great, and can be used for eyes or even concealer. The brushes all have a colour scheme with the Face Brushes being Yellow, the Powder/Stippling/Setting brushes being Pink and the eye brushes being Purple. 

El

Topshop Makeup

Topshop is very highly rated for clothes, however, I've never really been into the very cropped tops or short-short-short-shorts. Yet every once in awhile I'll find a nice skirt, dress or even nail polish.

Topshop Cream Blush Stick in Sneak Peek - this has to be the most neon blush I've ever laid eyes on. It comes in a stick, so I tend to dot it on my cheeks and blend it up with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to avoid the red-circles-on-cheeks-I-look-like-a-clown dilemma. Although it blends out to a more powdery finish, I have been known to rub it over my lips for a bit of a glow. Overall I love this radiance boosting blush.

Topshop Eye Kohl in Sable - I love this eyeliner for definition on the lashline, under the lashes, through the crease, the list goes on! Sable is a dark brown; less harsh than black and much more natural.

El

My MAC Eyeshadows

First up, apologies! I'm so sorry for the lack of posts- throughout the Summer blogging seems to have taken a backseat, but I'm going to try to post at least once a week now, and hopefully even every 2 days.

Although MAC eyeshadows are said to be the cream of the crop, I have only accumulated two (for now). I don't have a MAC counter anywhere remotely near me, so when I was up in Sheffield and spotted a stand in Debenhams, I jumped at the chance and purchased Woodwinked, and Charcoal Brown.

Woodwinked - this super shimmery golden bronze is right up my street, and was the first in the basket. But beware! Too much and it's orange overkill. It works best with fairly tanned skin, can be worn all over the lid, in the inner corners or with a darker colour through the crease.

Charcoal Brown - Although it's deemed as a brow shade, I prefer to use the matte brown shadow through the socket or around the outer edges of my eyes. I love this, although mine seems to have sealed over a little (I think i got a droplet of water on it) leaving it just a little less pigmented, though still perfectly usable.

Next on the List - is All That Glitters, a, you guessed it, very glittery shade! it seems to be more on the pink side compared to Woodwinked, but it looks great! I also need to purchase a palette to put them in as when I went, they had sold out!