May Favourites

left to right: Real Techniques Shading Brush, No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Truffle, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze, Maybelline The Falsies Flared Volume Express and Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

A whole new category has appeared on the blog, and its about time! A monthly favourites post has been lingering in my mind, and now I've finally put pen to paper (or rather hands to laptop) and written one.

May's makeup is somewhat more of a simple one. No messing about within a sea of eyeshadows or array of mascaras- you could even call me speedy when it comes to getting ready! I find that a few well chosen products can really brighten up a look, and switching up my makeup on a monthly basis means its all getting used, and I can try out different things every once in awhile.

Collection 2000's lasting perfection concealer has become somewhat of a cult product in my collection, but it is often used for more than just the conventional use. The perfect dupe for a primer, I find that smoothing this over my lid before a smokey or just neutral eye can increase the longevity.

Ever since the Real Techniques Shading Brush came into my makeup bag, I've found eyeshadow application even easier. I'm not saying I was an expert without it, but I could choose a few colours to sweep over my lid (basic inner corner highlight, neutral on the lid and a dark crease) but now I don't have to worry about packing on the shadow either. It's a perfect brush for base and blending, and the RT brush will be in my bag for quite some time...

My Maybelline Colour Tattoo is a beautiful colour. Pair this bronzy and almost Rose Gold cream shadow with No7's Truffle, and you have the perfect lid. I like to apply a fair amount- not too much, not too little-but I do like to smoke it out for an appropriate occasion. Blended out with my favourite brush and I'm left with a pretty eye with subtle definition.

After hearing the raves of beauty gurus such as Tanya Burr and Missglamorazzi, I finally bought the infamous Maybelline The Falsies Flared Volum' Express. Mouthful, yes, but you should hear the name of the waterproof formula! The big brush is perfect for lash-catching (ever attempted to coat those baby eyelashes and failed? Not with this!)

My favourite Beauty Blogger/ Youtuber of the month has to be Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup- her posts are so well written! I love reading her blog and watching her vids.

My favourite TV Programme of the month has to be Drop Dead Diva, which is a girly feel good show of 4 seasons that I have been catching up on on Netflix. I love it- just the right amount of cheesy-ness and reality! I've also just started watching Covert Affairs, and when I say just I mean Just the first series! One down, one to go. 
I'm obsessed with Doctor Who. Literally, obsessed, and so when the series finale aired, I was on the edge of my seat. And it was amazing! It you haven't seen it then you are seriously missing out!


El
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Cream Products - The Trend

left to right: the POREfessional, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, Barry M Kohl Pencil ,  Maybelline Colour Tattoo (looks more silvery here but is bronze in true form), Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows in Birthday Suit and My Two Cents, Benefit Posietint

If there's one outstanding trend for this Spring/Summer Season then it has to be cream products. Whether it's a creamy concealer, eyeshadow or blush, this trend is all about banishing the powders and embracing natural dewy skin. Not only do creamy products blend really well and stay on all day, but they also speed up morning-makeup-time!

For a smooth flawless base, Benefit's the POREfessional Primer is the first step. Being a bare-faced babe, primers aren't really up my street, but after trying a sample of this, I can tell that just by smoothing out my skin a little (just a little though) it enhances my complexion. And being a creamy product, it's perfect for brush or hand application.

Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection Concealer is a product spoken about by me and practically every other beauty blogger, and with a creamy texture that can be easily blended under eyes or on stubborn spots, it definitely falls into this season's trend category. I'm fairly sure that this is the cheapest good concealer out there, and to find a product that costs less than a fiver and works is a miracle in itself!

I have to admit that I've really fallen for this luscious look, and eyeshadows of a slightly different texture to the norm are becoming a staple in my everyday routine. Benefit's Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows in My Two Cents and Birthday Suit   are prime examples of creamy shadows. The former is a beautiful coppery colour, hence the name, and the latter a more silvery-taupe tint. The great thing about them is that they can be blended in to create a subtle smokey eye, or packed on and set with a powder for an intense look.

At the more affordable end of the scale we have the Maybelline Colour Tattoo. Being one of the most mentioned and most used product, it's obvious I love 'em, and the same beautiful eye can be created with these as with the Benefit ones for £10 cheaper. No brainer! 

A three pound whim. I buy most of my products by 'wingin' it' unless I've read a persuasive post on a particular product, but my Barry M Kohl Liner  has to be one of my more successful discoveries. By blending these into the lid with a finger, they give a sheer wash of colour that can be built up, and they're perfect for shadow-phobs and the less confident cream lovers.

Now for a slightly different item. Still from the creamy clan, Benefit's Posietint is a more-liquidy tint for cheeks and lips. The pinky colour suits all skin tones and can be easily blended into cheeks for a subtle hint of colour.

El
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The Perfect Pair

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze, No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Truffle

 Ever since I purchased the popular cream eyeshadow, my Maybelline Colour Tattoo has been a go-to product. No mess, no fuss- just a quick smooth-over-the-lid and you're done. So finding a powder eyeshadow of the same/similar colour that could be used to set in it place was quite a challenge, until I came across this baby.

No7 has never really been a brand of interest to me. Yes, I'd pass the counters in Boots, perhaps take a little look, but then dismiss the product, mainly because of the price, forgetting that I had all those money-off vouchers stored away. I have a small, mainly pharmaceutical Boots on my high street that houses a small No7 stand, so after finally getting my Boots Advantage Card, I thought I'd have a look...

One particular eyeshadow caught my eye, and for one particular reason- it's likeness to the infamous Colour Tattoo. I swatched it and a 'hmm...not bad' expression appeared. And with the vouchers, it was less than a fiver. Good spot I think! 

El
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Less is More- Minimal Make Up

As not everyone gets up at the crack of dawn, goes for a morning stroll and is washed, dressed and fed by 7am, including a proper yet quick and easy make up routine isn't always simple. I for one have been known to skip steps in my skincare script and just used a cleansing water (such as Clarins Energizer Wake Up Booster) spritzed across a cotton pad and then briefly wiped across my face. Or rushed into my room to put on a quick coat of mascara before the school run to open up my eyes a little- everyone comprises in some aspect of their beauty regime! So how can busy mums or city working gals get a record look in record time?

left to right: Soap & Glory For Daily Youth, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow and Benefit Posietint 

Mixing your moisturizer and concealer is a real time saver; although it doesn't give much coverage, it brightens up your face. If you have the luxury of a couple more minutes, applying your foundation with fingers  instead of a brush also works. Apply a moisturizer prior to this to help your BB Cream or foundation blend into the skin.

For a five-minute face, buff in a cream eyeshadow over the lids with your ring finger- this is quick and simple. Seal it in with a powder shadow if possible (again applied with hands- no brush, less fuss!) and whack on a coat or two of mascara. Use a nude/white eyeliner in your bottom waterline to cancel out any redness, and then apply a creamy concealer to hide any bags. Using creamy products is best as they blend very easily.

Dip a finger in some cream blush and sweep over the cheeks and swiftly brush a bit of colour over you face with a bronzer if need be. Pop on a slick of lip balm, followed by some cream blusher or other multitasking product, and you're good to go! Tie up you hair in a rough pony or bun, grab your bag and skip out the door. Easy!

Just remember to start with a clean face and clean hands, and only use products that you really need. Setting out your make up and clothes the night before is another time saving tip- being organized is fairly underrated these days!

El
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Pocket-Sized Pals

If I'm on the go or travelling, pocket-sized make up products are a must have. Over the past few months, I've developed a bit of a collection of Baby Benefit products that can be easily slipped into a pocket or thrown in a purse, because, not many people want to be carrying around massive eyeshadow palettes or full size bottles of things!

Benefit is one of my favourite make up brands, no points for getting that right! The main thing that draws me in is the pretty packaging, and the smaller samples sizes make it all the cuter.

As I don't wear any foundation, a primer certainly wasn't at the top of my list, but after trying out a sample size of Benefit's silky smooth pore-reducing balm, I realized that an extra layer of coverage wasn't needed. The POREfessional, apart from having gorgeous packaging, just evens out my skintone a little. With less coverage than even a tinted moisturizer, it doesn't cover up anything, but mattifies any oily patches.

After hearing them being raved about, I was thinking about fully embracing the up and coming cream eyeshadow trend. At the same time, I had just bought Benefit's Most Glamorous Nudes Ever, which fortunately came with two of their best-selling cream shadows. The perfect size for dipping in a finger or a brush, the creamy little things are easy to apply and blend with other products.

When travelling, multitasking products can be a life saver. No searching in your purse or bag in the hope that there's a blush or lipstick- just pull this baby out your pocket and you're good to go! Posietint is great for this, as I can whip it out wherever I am and simply dab a little of the rosy liquid on my cheeks and lips for an instant glow.

Sample-sized mascaras are becoming somewhat of a cult favourite in my beauty bag; first Benefit's They're Real and now BADgal Lash Mascara. I prefer my lashes to look full and feathery rather to resemble spiders legs which is why I prefer the latter of the two products. There's no compromise on brush size or formula, and this BADgal ain't moving from my make up bag.

I love all of these cute little products, and having mini versions of things are great for touching up your make up!

El
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