Face it


Face it
I’ve accumulated a few concealers and liquid highlighters and I thought I’d quickly run through what I think of them.

Benefit high beam 

This is a popular highlighter and I sometimes mix a small amount with my foundation for a glowing look. I do really like this and this small bottle lasts the longest time. I’ve heard about a couple of pretty good dupes so I’m going to pick up those to see how they stand up. I like having this in my collection as it is a versatile product and I like the dewy look. My skin is quite dull naturally & I like to make it brighter and healthier looking and Benefit high beam is perfect for that.

Bourjois Bio Detox Organic Concealer

I’ve two of these, one in light to medium &  the other in bronze to dark. I picked them up in the poundshop and the dark shade is a little too dark unless I am tanned (that’s not often). The light to medium shade is good for covering spots but not for under eye as it’s a little too dry and is hard to blend. I have dehydrated skin under my eyes and this just settles in my fine lines. I wouldn’t pay full price for it.

Garnier Caffeine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Roll-on

I’ve spoken about this quite a bit on my blog  and have grown to really like it. It’s a short time fix & it’s not a concealer that lasts all day I use it when I’m just popping out for a couple of hours or I use a little bit before I put on my heavy-duty concealer. I like the feeling of the cold roller ball under my eyes. Its cooling and gives a little colour.

Face it

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Every blogger owns this or has owned it I’m sure. I use the shade 2 light. I only use this on covering up blemishes and it lasts me for ages. It’s a complete bargain and recommend everyone try it.

Benefit Boi-ing industrial strength concealer

I use the shade 02 in this and have repurchased it on quite a few occasions  I love it for covering redness around my nose, chin and a little on my cheeks. It is very long wearing and if you warm it up in your fingers it’s easy to blend. I always have a pot of this in my collection.

e.l.f Radiance Enhancer

I was quite shocked at how good this is. With budget beauty brands you don’t expect too much. I use this as a highlighter down my nose and under my eyebrows. It’s a pretty highlighter and is so cheap £3.75. I use the shade colour spotlight

Face it

 Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer & Sheer Finish Pressed Powder

I have the shade Warm Beige & Pale Yellow. I have mixed feelings about this. If I take the time to put this on properly it looks good. But I need to power it as it doesn’t last well on me. But I often don’t want to spend 15 mins putting it on and can look a little heavy if not blended well. I would repurchase this.

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

I love this on my cheekbones and in the inner corner of my eyes. It’s a lovely highlighter and makes a difference to my dull looking skin. If you blend it well you don’t need much product. If you can find this discounted then I’d buy it. I never pay full price for it.

Bobbi Brown Corrector

I have the shade light to medium Bisque. Now this I do like. I have very dark under eyes, they’re just naturally dark and always have been so to have a product you can use to counter that is great & this works so well. It’s quite thick so need warming up & its easier to blend. Don’t be tempted to use too much just blend well and it will work wonders.

Do you use any of these products? Or do have any concealer or highlighter recommendations.

Blank Walls are so DULL

I’ve been in my new house for just coming up to 4 months now. I can’t believe its been that long. I still have boxes that need unpacking. We are hoping to be in this house for about 18 months (I love to move on) and have been trying to make it feel like home.

I love to browse Etsy and try to buy from handmade / small business owners where possible. I’ve been buying some art for my boring magnolia walls and wanted to share with you some things I’ve bought & a few things that I have my eye on.

Etsy Art

 The Illustrated Man / To Hell With Luck / Reading is Cool / TEA / Home / Superhero

I love filling my walls with quirky artwork & I love spending hours browsing Etsy. There is so much on there. Etsy has lots to offer and so far I’ve bought art, jewellery, makeup and so many cool things. If you haven’t already then I urge you to pop over & check out this emporium of wonders.

Where do you buy your art from? I am always looking for ideas and inspiration.

USA Swap

I’ve done a swap with the lovely Casey from Beauty 101 Blog she’s sent me a box full of lovely American products. We did another swap last year & I received some AMAZING things, It was a great success and we decided to do another one. I being the unprepared bad blogger haven’t mailed hers yet. But I promise that it’s jam-packed full of British Makeup Goodies & will be mailed really soon (sorry Casey). I’m hoping the things I’m sending arrive in one piece this time as all the MUA products smashed in transit. I’m going to pack it so well!

My box arrived the week before Christmas and I was good and waited until Christmas Day to open it. It was a lovely surprise. I thought you might be interested to see what I received. How exciting is a swap. I love doing them.

USA Swap

The light is a little off – when the sun came out I grabbed my camera & took some photos so it’s a little bright. Roll on summer & great light! I haven’t managed to use anything yet as I was being a good blogger and waiting to take photos. Keep an eye out for reviews and swatches over the next few weeks.

USA Swap

I will just list all the items in the box. I know that’s not hugely exciting but There was quite a lot.

e.l.f 3 piece nail polish set in glam bam / e.l.f lip stain in crimson crush / e.l.f baked eyeshadow in bark / e.l.f baked bronzer in maui / e.l.f baked blush in peachy cheeky / e.l.f baked eyeshadow in burnt plum / eos lip balm in strawberry sorbet.

USA Swap 2012

Wet n Wild trio in knock on wood / Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Mossy Green Limited Edition / Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Barley Beige Limited Edition / e.l.f HD blush in diva / e.l.f jumbo eyeshadow stick in Rock Out.

USA Swap 2012

Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush and Twinkle / e.l.f jumbo lip gloss stick in pink umbrellas & flirty and girly / Wet n Wild copper curve shimmer eye pencil, mega length mascara, mega eyeliner and glamour eyes quad/ eos lip balm spf 15 in lemon drop / e.l.f contouring blush & bronzing Powder in St Lucia

Phew I think that’s everything. I’m thrilled with my swap & can’t wait to try everything. The e.l.f baked eyeshadows, blush and bronzers look so pretty and I’m excited to use the eos lip balms. Have you tried any of these products?

Thanks Casey x

Favourite Products of December 2012

We’re already a week into January 2013 but I still wanted to let you know what I had been loving in December 2012. I had a low-key December and I think my products reflect that. So before I start rambling I will get right into it.

December 2012 Favourites

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer – I use this to cover really unsightly blemishes and ones that are super red. I find this quite heavy and so only use it when nothing else will work and this stuff doesn’t budge. Covergirl lashblast 24hr Waterproof Mascara – this is a great mascara for giving quite dramatic lashes especially if you’ve really curled your eyelashes. It’s so black i love my mascara to be uber black and again it doesn’t budge.

Vivo Colour Block Palette in Unprotected. This is a palette I reach for over and over again. The colours are all lovely and I am a neutral eyeshadow girl so this has  everything I need. It’s also the palette I take away on holiday without fail. I’ve done a more in depth post on this palette with swatches – here if you want to have a read. Chanel Eyeshadow in Safari 45 – this is the prettiest taupe with a hint of shimmer. It’s so soft and blends like a dream.

MUA Pink Shimmer Kisses Blusher – This has been in my makeup bag since I bought it a couple of months ago. I have worn it so much. You can make it a light wash of colour or go for a more intense colour. It’s so versatile. MUA have done it again. Top marks for this. I’ve done a blog post about this here. YSL Perfect Touch Radiance Foundation – I have used this foundation for about 3 years now and it is my old faithful. It give a really beautiful coverage which I would say was medium and it gets better throughout the day. It settles down to look flawless and gives your skin a really healthy glow. I will always have a tube of this. It makes my skin look younger and so healthy.

December Favourites 2012

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser –  spf 20 in the shade nude. This is a really lovely lightweight tinted moisturiser. It feels so nice on the skin, it’s quite a sheer coverage but that’s perfect for days when you’re not wanting to apply a full face of makeup. It really has some staying power too. It applies smoothly on the face and gives you such a fresh-faced look and I love it. Garnier Caffeine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Roll-on Medium – This is great to add a little flash of colour under the eye and look more awake. It’s not the best coverage and it’s a little watery but I tap it in and it gives you a more awake look. I’ve blogged about this here with swatches.

No7 Lash and Brow Perfector – This just works. It tames my unruly brows. What more could I want? The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Lip Balm – This smells so festive and has a shimmer to it. So it was perfect for December. It’s not very moisturising but it does give your lips a hint of colour and also shimmer. So very festive.

Murad Exfoliating blemish Treatment Gel – this has really calmed my breakouts and it helps reduce the redness and size of blemishes. I use it morning and night when I have a breakout. Mac Sheer Pressed Powder – I’ve been using this to set my foundation. I have been a little more greasy than normal and I have found a light dusting of this across my forehead and chin makes my foundation stay put.

So they were my December favourites. If you’ve blogged about your December favourites leave me a link in the comments.