Bareminerals Complexion Rescue

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue 

I bought Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue in the shade number three Buttercup; this by far the best foundation I have ever used, I have used in past Estée Lauder and Mac for many years, but as I have gotten older, I found I did not want to wear a foundation's so I think this product is just what I need now, it blurs my imperfections, has a lovely radiant glow on to my skin, lightweight and moisturizing too! Well worth every penny 

My Very First Pat Mcgrath Lipstick

My Very First Pat Mcgrath Lipstick  

So for my birthday I got my very first Pat Mcgrath lipstick which is part of  lip fetish collection  and I got 524 passion flower.

Pat McGrath Passion Flower is a slightly warm-toned, light-medium coral with a natural finish. It is a permanent lip balm that retails for £35.00 and contains 0.12 oz.

Pat McGrath Passion Flower Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Lip Balm (£35.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium pink with warm undertones and a natural sheen. It appeared like a lighter, peachy-coral in the tube, but it was significantly pinker swatched as well as on, and it left a strong, pink stain behind (on my arm as well as my lips). It had semi-sheer pigmentation that applied evenly and smoothly across my lips. It had a lightweight consistency that was lightly creamy but not thin or too slippery on my lips, though it wasn't as smoothing as other shades in the range. The colour stayed on well for four hours and was hydrating while I wore it.

The new Sheer Colour finish on the Lip Fetish Lip Balm formula is designed to have a "tease of colour" with a "lightweight veil of hydration." The balm has a smooth consistency that glided across my lips without tugging but did not feel overly slippery or wet like some balm-like formulations can.

I felt like this made it easier to apply them evenly and had them wear decently--anywhere from two to four hours--and I found that a couple of them stained my lips lightly (most notably, Passion Flower looked significantly pinker on my lips, and it also stained my hand pink when I tried swatching it again to verify!).

I found the formula to be moderately moisturising with coverage that ranged from sheer to medium with the deeper shades having more noticeable colour and coverage. I didn't detect any scent or taste to these.

This alluringly addictive clear balm is the captivating covert key to a killer kiss. It repairs, restores and replenishes, keeping the lips sensuously smooth and leaving them with a dewy, opaline finish. Luxuriate in kissably soft lips with this ecstasy-inducing balm.

The Beauty Products Worth Putting Make Up On For

*contains gifted item/affiliate link

Okay, okay hear me out here. Before I begin, at the moment make up feels like a special occasion. Today, Monday- I began the day and PUT MAKE UP ON, and I feel like I could take over the world (or, ahem, walk to the supermarket without crying- which is close).

It’s a ~process~ I think I’ve taken for granted, and although I very much enjoy the luxury of having to do sweet FA in the mornings to consider myself ‘presentable’- actually, I’ve realised, I quite enjoy popping a bit of slap on to get myself ready each day- and if that makes me a bit vapid, or whatever, so be it! Because this woman loves a liner!

Anyway- as much as I love make up, I’m still in isolation like everyone else. The thought of putting on a gradient eyeshadow look, lipstick with lip liner or drawing daisies on my lids is strictly for special special occasions (maybe on my birthday or when I’m seriously dry in the content department) because that deserves to be seen and celebrated. SO! If you’re looking for a handful of products, or a suggestion of a #squad that are worth getting ready for, let me introduce you to a few favourites…

The Foundation that’s a serum WITH SPF

Talk about a product that is putting the hours in- this is your guy. The Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40*, yo! Whether you use a brush, or apply it like a serum after your morning cleanse, it’s a wonder worker at evening skin tone, protecting you from the sun, smells amazing and also provides really blinking decent coverage too (whilst still bringing the glow)- alongside the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear foundation, these two are absolute gems whatever kind of day you’re having.

The ‘god-did-your-brow-lady-come-to-yours-during-QUARANTINE?!’ brow gel

Nope she didn’t! I did nothing! Just swiped a bit of the Arch Brow Shaping Gel* on from Hourglass and I was set! I’ve used the tinted version for as long as I can remember (I use dark brown) but have recently just been popping on the clear one if I need a bit of a quick brow groom. Simples.

The ‘nope, no mascara just curlers because I am, in fact, Lisa Eldridge’

One thing the wonderful Zoe Taylor taught me (and my mum also did, in fact) the power of were eyelash curlers. GOD THEY ARE TRANSFORMATIVE. Literally even if I don’t put on a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g else on and curl my lashes I look at least semi awake, which is amazing. My favourites are the Kevyn Aucoin ones, and I truly cannot recommend them enough.

The fancy bronzer, which I will buy again and again

I’ve had the Diorskin Mineral Nude* bronzer since time began, which a) shows how long it lasts and b) is a good sign it never leaves my make up bag because I still have it to hand. This is such a brilliant, glowy bronzer-which never feels too orangey and applies so beautifully and gently that you actually look sun kissed without Year 8 in 2005 bronzer vibes. Win win.

The blush that you can wear… everywhere

The Chanel Les Beiges Blush stick* is a diamond, and is the perfect product at doing a true ‘all in one’ make up look. Pop it on your cheeks for a flush, eyes for a dewy shadow, and even lips to tie it all together. It’s one of the products that I always have with me, in a handbag (remember those?) or just floating around.

And the power balm…

I am a sucker for a lip balm, and currently my lips feel drier than ever (I can confirm I am not encouraging the problem with my excessive lip balm use, I promise). Enter the Chanel Hydra Beauty balm*, which is every bit a treat as it is a total lip thirst quencher. Other favourites include the Mango balm dot com, LoveJamila’s multi balm* and the Kiehl’s Butterstick* too (not a stick of butter, FYI).

Okay one more- the best liquid liner…

I know liquid eyeliner might feel ‘a bit much’ for days at home, but if you’re in the market for one that’s not only easy to apply, lasts all day and has the perfect black pigmentation- may I introduce you to this Rouje bad boy. Named L’Eyeliner* (because everything sounds cooler in French)- this has quickly become a total make up bag staple and makes me feel very much together, on days I am very much not.

TIPS ON BUYING THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

Purchasing foundation seems to be a real pain. If you try to purchase your foundation via the drugstore, more times than not you will not be able to try it before you buy it, as drugstores do not give out samples. So when you choose a foundation you think will be the perfect match, chances are when you get home, the foundation colour looks nothing like your natural skin tone. Now, if you go too Space NK or House of Fraser, the store will allow you to compare the foundation colour against your natural skin tone. This is going help give you a better idea of which shade and brand is closest to your natural skin tone. Using the below guide to choose your next bottle of foundation will aid in the process of picking out the proper foundation for your skin tone:

• THE PROPER FORMULA – Choose a formula which is best for your skin. If your face is usually dry, choose a liquid or stick foundation because it will be creamy and have the most moisturising properties. But, if you have oily skin, purchase a powder foundation that will absorb extra shine and leave a matte finish. If you have combination skin, the trick to proper application lies in where you apply the foundation. You can place it light over areas which are dry, and place it heavier on patches which are oily. I find that powder foundation is more effective for this strategy with combination skin than liquid foundation.
• KNOW THE COVERAGE LEVEL YOU WANT – Understanding the appearance of every level of coverage is great when it comes to choosing the right coverage level for your needs. You will still see your skin through the foundations. If you are a bit unsure as to the amount of coverage you desire, choose a foundation which will give you light to medium coverage, as the foundation is buildable. However, if you are leaning towards a long-wearing foundation which does not require a mid-day touch-up, or if you have acne or discolouration, aim for the full-coverage foundation.
• DISCOVER YOUR UNDERTONE – Do not know where to start in finding out your skin’s undertone? Try the vein test. Cool-tone people will have a rosy tint to their skin, along with blue-ish veins which are visible via the underside of their neck or wrist. Warm-toned people will have yellow or golden skin tones with greenish veins. A neutral toned person has a mix between the two.
• READ THE REVIEWS – You have to read the reviews of the product and filter those reviews where the reviewer has no constructive comments. Reviews that are angry and/or have been left with heightened emotions, must be ignored because people can be grumpy.

Those are just some of the tips to choosing a foundation. Do you have any suggestions for choosing the proper foundation? What is your favorite foundation and why?

HOW TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP COLLECTION THE RIGHT WAY

Spring is here and while we may be turning to declutter our wardrobe and generally tidying, our makeup collection can be totally overlooked and actually in dire need of a clean out. So I'm here with an easy 6-step guide on how to spring clean your makeup collection effectively without the stress.

Below, find an easy makeup expiration chart to check if all your makeup is fresh, along with some simple tips and clever hacks on how to clean dreaded makeup sponges and more! I really hope this easy guide helps you get into the spirit of cleaning out your makeup collection and shedding a few unwanted or old products.

STEP 1: CHECK EXPIRATION DATES

When tidying out anything that brings you joy or caters to hoarding ways it's hard to emotionally detach! So to ease into your spring clean makeup clear out you first want to focus on the facts - Is your makeup out of date? Simply go through your makeup checking the small jar symbol on each product  and also opening each one to decide if it needs the bin or not. Below I've created a simple makeup expiration chart to guide you through how long you should be keeping products for. But as a rule, if a formula has changed in appearance and feels or smells different the best place for it is in the bin.

STEP 2: GROUP SIMILAR PRODUCTS TOGETHER

Laying out all the makeup products you own on the floor go through and sort them into different piles. Separating and grouping concealer, lip products, blusher and so on will allow you to see exactly what you have and will most likely make you want to pare back on your largest piles. For me, this is always lipsticks and concealers so I would decide which ones I want to give away from these piles - easy. Side note - While it may seem wise to start swatching everything it's easy for this process to slip into makeup 'playtime' finding you have made more mess than before and wasted hours. So unless you really want to swatch everything, keep going and remember, you know what each product looks like because you bought!

STEP 3: WIPE EVERYTHING DOWN USING MAKEUP WIPES

Next, you want to grab either some natural surface wipes (I'm a fan of the E-cover Antibacterial wipes), makeup or baby wipes or a soft damp cloth and swiftly clean every product. Bacteria can quickly build up even on the outside of packaging so giving everything a quick clean is vital for a good spring clean of your makeup collection. Pay extra attention to products that come into direct contact with the skin as these should be kept clean to avoid possible infections and skin breakouts (see my how-to clean eyelash curlers) and set makeup brushes to one side to clean later.

STEP 4: CLEAN OUT YOUR MAKEUP BAG & BATHROOM CABINET

Any material, container or shelf your makeup products come into contact with you want to clean out with an anti-bacterial spray or wipe and leave to dry. For this, I recommend a spray bottle mixed with water and Zoflora as not only will it clean but it will leave a fresh scent behind. Makeup bags with waterproof lining can be wiped out with a cloth or wipe but for material cosmetic bags you will want to place these in the washing machine to remove any stains and general makeup mess.

STEP 5: PLACE EVERYTHING BACK BY CATEGORY & SIZE

Placing everything back where it was is the fun part! By now you should have a clean, pared-down makeup collection thanks to your mini spring clean. So all that is left to do is place it back neatly. For bathroom cabinets place taller items to the back and smaller travel sizes to the front, you may also want to group by category so everything is in easy reach. For items that roll around such as lip products and pencils grab a stationery pot to hold them all. As for your makeup bag, everything will get mixed about anyway so quickly place everything back in it, making sure you aren't overfilling it.

STEP 6: CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES

Lastly, you will most likely need to clean your makeup brushes. I'm not going to lie, this is a bit of a laborious task but you can check out my own easy way to clean makeup brushes that will get the job done faster. As for makeup sponges, you will want to give them a thorough clean as they do harbour bacteria easily, using this easy makeup sponge microwave cleaning hack that really does work a treat!

Let me know if you have any other makeup spring clean tips to add to this list - especially for hard to clean items such as pencil sharpeners and makeup brushes. I'd love to hear them as I'm very much in full spring clean mode right now!