My three brow styles

Brows are definitely something that's 'in' right now! Or should I say 'on fleek' no i really shouldn't.

It wasn't until I started blogging that I ever really gave two hoots about my brows. I may have gone a bit pluck crazy after watching The Princess Diaries and wanting a make over that rivalled Anne Hathaways (let's just say, it left a lot to be desired,) but I never really gave them much though. Now, I bloomin' love them.

I really like doing my brows, maintaining my brows and brow products. So due to all that, I'm able to write this post, which I previously would've lol'ed or even rofl'ed at, my three different brow styles. 'Cause a girl just needs choices, right?

1) The casual: You know the drill, it's nothing serious but you still need a little something going on. For that occasion I turn to the Maybelline Brow Drama. Title aside there's nothing dramatic about it, you just whip it out and quickly comb it through and you're done. Simples.

2) The quick but all there: So you want to have the full on brow but to be honest you also want the extra ten minutes snooze. I know how you feel. For that I recommend a pencil, and the one I'm loving at the moment is the Sleek Brow Pencil. It has a spoolie one end and a nice slanted nib the other. Great for travel (i.e. on the train to work) and really good colour pay off too. The slanted nib (I feel like Chandler right when he laughs at 'duties') means you can get a real nice shape to your brows going too.

3) The go all out: This I like to save for special occasions, the ones where pictures are likely to be taken etc. For me, nothing makes my brows look more polished and put together and...well brow like, than when I use a powder. The powder I use is actually eyeshadow and it's MAC's Omega and Brun. These two guys and an angled brush take me from a 4 to a solid 8, and for that, I thank them.

What're your brow loves?

If I were to start my MAC palette again

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The best of... Lipsticks

This year, for me at least, has been the year of the lipsticks. I couldn't get enough of the stuff. Formerly the women addicted to eyes, I'm now all about the lips.

 So, as the year's coming to a close (can you say Christmas?!?) I thought I'd do a round up of all the lip products I've been loving. 

Favourite high end: YSL Rouge Volupte in 13

Favourite high street: Rimmel Moisture Renew in Notting Hill Nude

Favourite matte: MAC Ruby Woo/Rimmel Kate Matte 101

Favourite bold: Rimmel Appocalips in Stellar

Favourite liquid: Loreal Extrodinare 101 Rose Melody

Favourite brand: Rimmel Moisutre Renew

Comfiest: No7 BB Lips

Most used: No7 BB Lips

What have been your favourites this year?

Laura

I Should Really Use You More

Believe it or not, there are some products in my stash that I love, but just don't end up using them. As much as I love these products, for some reason or another they just stay tucked away and don't get the use they deserve.

Mac Powersurge Eyeliner - This is a lovely golden eyeliner that looks lovely on the waterline or as a shadow, but for some reason I just neglect it. I think for me this is just a summer product and I'm also scared to use it.

Dior Amber Diamond - This is my 'special occassion' highlighter reserved for, well, special occasions. I really need to start wearing it more regularly though as it's so pretty and gives a gorgeous golden glow.

Urban Decay Naked Two - I wanted this palette so much, but I just don't really reach for it. Part of me thinks it's much too shimmery for me, but I really need to mess about with it a bit more.

Nars Eyeshadow Duo - I love this eyeshadow duo, and used to wear it a lot, however when I do my make-up now I just tend to grab a crayon of some sort as I find it more convenient.

MAC Cosmo Lipstick - For some reason I just ever find myself reaching for this colour. I think it's my 'sophisticated' lipstick, but rarely find myself in sophisticated-esque style situations.

Bare Minerals Original Foundation - I loved this foundation and used to use it regularly, but for me the Dior Nude BB Cream is just so perfect I rarely use anything else.

&Other Stories Cire Red blusher - This is pretty much MACs Frankly Scarlett. The tiniest tap of a brush is needed or else you look like coco the clown, but it gives the cheek the perfect flush.

What products should you use more?

Laura

Throwback Thursday: MAC's A Perfect Cheek Blush

Even when I was in my 'must own every make-up item on the planet' stage of buying make-up, I never really got the whole MAC collections thing. Then I found the Marilyn Monroe collection and something took a hold of me. All I knew was that I wanted this blush, and I wanted it then.

What I really like about the blush is that it really is A Perfect Cheek for my complexion. It's not too pink, too red, or too orange. It just blends onto the skin for a nice natural bit of definition. It's the kind of blush you'd use if you want to sculpt but not contour, if you get what I mean.

Do you have this? What do you think?

Laura

The Blogger Made Me Buy It: Tanya Burr

I've seen 'The Blogger Made Me Buy It' tag floating around for quite a while now, and whilst I've wanted to do it for ages I've never really gotten round to it as bloggers have inspired so many of my makeup choices. So instead of just doing one post I've decided to turn it into a series on my blog, with each one being dedicated to a specific blogger.

To kick off I've decided to start with the lovely lady who pretty much inspired me to start my blog, Tanya Burr. If you've read my blog for a while then you'll probably be aware of the story about how I randomly came across Tanya's channel back in November 2011 and found a love for makeup. Since then she's inspired many of my make-up choices and continues to do so; however I've decided to narrow it down to my top five favourite products that I've purchased due to her.

Dior Amber Diamond - ever since I saw this beautiful piece of makeup in one of Tanya's videos I knew it had to be mine. I began my own personal witch hunt for this product and was so excited when I got it. I still didn't have much high end makeup at the time I purchased this product, so it was that extra bit special to me. For that reason I keep it as a special occasion type of makeup, which for me gives me that extra sense of covetedness to it.

MAC Eyeshadows - The majority of my MAC shadows are Tanya Burr induced purchases. After seeing her gorgeous palette pop up in most of her videos I knew I had to get one for myself, and I did. My favourites from the ones I got due to her usage are Satin Taupe, All That Glitters, Patina and Mulch.

Rimmel Santa Rose Blusher - For me this is the most universal blusher, I can see it pretty much suiting everyone. Personally I like to save this little beauty for summer as I think it complements a tan perfectly. It is a gorgeous peachy pink colour that is hard to over do, making it a dream to apply.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Cream in Iced Gold - I feel bad putting this in this post as you can't currently get it (boo) but it's such a gorgeous product. It blends perfectly into the skin whilst leaving the most natural and healthy glow. Just between you and I though, Topshop's Glow is pretty similar.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight - This lipstick was used in one of my all time favourite Tanya Burr videos, her Kim Kardashian tutorial. I never really owned any peachy nude lipsticks before this, and it's the perfect colour for any collection. I've spoken before about how much I love this range of lipsticks and Nude Delight really is a beaut to own. It goes with everything.

So that's my first post in my The Blogger Made Me Buy It series, I hope you liked it.

Has Tanya Burr inspired you to buy anything?

Laura xoxo 

FOTD: Let It Glow

Another Frozen reference, I know. Sorry for not being sorry; it just fit so well. For someone who was always scared she looked really shiny and believed a face full of powder was the best way to hide everything and keep things hidden all day, over the last year I've defintiely gravitated toward a glowly look.

To get the base off to the right start I began with the Bourjois Happy Light primer to get my skin all ready for my base which here is the Bourjois CC Cream as I wanted to give it a test, but to be honest, though it's more expensive I much prefer the Dior BB Cream, it lasts better throughout the day and adds an extra glow.

Before powdering with my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, which is the peferfect powder to set make-up but leave you with a glow, I worked in my Jemma Kid Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Cream which is sadly discountined but I say pick up Topshops Glow Cream Highlighter for the same effect. Once that is worked in with the base I like to apply my cream blush, which just so happened to be my Nars Multiple in Portofino.

Eyes and lips I kept quite simple. Eyes was a MAC staple Naked Lunch which deposits a slight colour with a nice shimmer to boot and lips was a your lips but nicer/better colour from No7 BB Lips in Coral Rush.

What are your glowy skin staples?

Laura xoxo

Back to Bronze

Spring and summer definitely send a signal to my make-up caves and call upon the bronze heroes to stand to attention. Winter's a great time to give the berry coloured items some loving, but if there is one thing that works throughout summer it is definitely the bronze!

For a nice simple bronze cheek offering I definitely suggest you pick up the Nars Multiple in South Beach. The perfect consistency to just blob onto your face and gently blend it. It has a slight shimmer running through it which means it catches the sun perfectly and leaves you feeling ever so glowy and bronzed. However, if matte is more your thing thang than I definitely suggest Benefit's Hoola. It isn't too orange, but definitely has a darkness too it that many other bronzers don't have. It's the perfect contour or all over 'I've tanned' colour. Finally for cheeks, if you're a pale person who just wants a bit of colour, without looking like they've rolled in Wotsits I highly recommend the Clarins Bronzing Duo in Light. I've harped on about this product plenty but seriously, I love it. 

For eyes cream bases seem to be the way forward for me, simple and fuss free which means you have more time to enjoy the limited sunshine. A quick wash of bronze that isn't too dark and really compliments a tan has to the Bad to the Bronze from Maybelline Colour Tattoo. It gives a lovely wash to your eye that isn't overpowering but still compliments any tan perfectly. If you want something a little darker, this pencil from Rimmel Scandaleyes is your guy. The perfect rusty bronze colour in my opinion. I prefer it a little blended as it can look a bit OTT on me, but if you like warm colours I think you'll love it. Finally, for a bit of liner Powersurge by MAC is your guy. I seriously love this liner, it works as a shadow too. What more could you want?

What are your favourite bronze products?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Back to MAC

I'll always remember when I first stumbled across Tanya Burr's YouTube channel way back in November 2011 and spent many evenings watching every video trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible. Something that cropped up in a lot of those videos was a MAC palette, and it wasn't all that long till I decided I wanted to make my own (5 months, to be exact.)

Last year I actually finished my palette (you can see a full video here) however with not wearing much make-up in the week, I don't find myself using this palette as much as I used to, or should be doing.

However, when getting ready the other night I decided to open the palette and thanked myself for building it, as it really does contain some of the nicest colours I own. Yes it does have a few 'Oh god why did I choose this' colours, but it also has some that I just love to use. Here are my top five, that I wish to share with you.

For a paler, yet still quite shimmery shade I have two recommendations. First up Patina. Now the first ever video I watched was a Bella Thorne wedding make-up tutorial and one of the eyeshadows used was Patina and from that moment one I was sure I'd own it one day. It's a gorgeous dark golden, almost burnt bronze with a subtle shimmer running through it. If you don't wish to go quite so dark, then I think you're next stop should be Era. Slightly lighter, yet still with the same finish, Era really is such an amazing colour for all over the lids. If you want a bit of definition in the crease with these shadows, may I recommend Wedge. A matte brown shade that I love either all across the lid on it's own, or the perfect contour shade. Whether you need to make a smokey eye less harsh, or you're just looking for tiny bit of definition, these are your guys.

Now for the two that are great if you want to get a little smokey. For a summer time bronzed smokey eye, Mulch is your guy. For me, this is the definition of burnt out bronze, it has the perfect array of bronze, gold and shimmer. The final shade I want to talk about goes with pretty much anything, really. Satin Taupe again is a TB enabled purchase, but is one of the most versatile shades in my palette. It's the perfect mix of brown, purple and shimmer that works with every eye shade. Whenever I'm in doubt, this always comes out (hey, I'm a poet!)

So those are my top MAC shades, what are yours?


Laura xoxo

Spring Fling: Eyes

When it comes to spring/summer I feel that bronze is the only way to go. Gold is a distant Christmas memory and I'm ready to go all bronze and goddess like (a girl can dream)! For me a bronze smokey eye is the perfect spring/summer smokey eye combo.

The Grab and Go -Ah the Rimmel Scandaleyes pencil is just so great for a quick wash of colour over the eye. The pencil application means it's easy to use and the cream texture makes it easy to blend out too.

The Base-  Maybellines Colour Tattoos are still something I love to use and this one is great for creating a bronzy base that holds and intensifies colour. Of course it looks nice on its own too, which is always a bonus.

The 'keeping it simple' - MAC All That Glitters is as gold as I go for summer, but it has a bronze tint to it that makes it perfect for subtle simple eye that still says 'I'm ready for you summer'!

The Summer Shade - Sometimes products have to take a back seat until it is their time to shine in a new season, and MAC's Mulch is definitely a spring/summer item to me. It is the perfect warm bronze colour that looks great in the crease or just all over the lid.

The Liner - Ah MAC Powersurge, my love for this is still going strong, and there is no better time to use this than summer. It's perfect to bronze up the water line whilst also working well as an all over lid colour too. Oh how I love this product.

What are your spring eye products?

Laura xoxo

Spring Fling: Cheeks

I decided I wanted to do a little spring series here on the old blog. I do love me a little series every now and again and the changing of the seasons allows the perfect opportunity. I'm going to start my series focusing on cheek products, tomorrow eyes and then Thursday will finish with cheeks.

The Bronzer - Okay, so this isn't necessarily a 'spring fling' as I love this product all year round, however everyone needs a bronze glow and there is no better product for it than this. There's a load of different intensities in the Clarins Bronzing Duo so you should find a shade that suits your skin tone perfectly. The shimmer in it is simple and subtle and can rarely be seen.

The Bronze Glow - Ah Nars South Beach is what started my multiple craze. I love this product, plus it's Millie Mackintosh approved. I love using this as a bronzer, highlighter and contour. It really is a multi use product and this is the perfect spring/summer shade.

The Cream Cheek - This Bourjois Cream Blush in 03 is a great spring shade as it is has just the right amount of pink to coral ratio to make it a great transitional colour. The cream formula is makes the whole dewy sunkissed look great and means it applies seamlessly. 

The Powder Blush - MAC Dainty blush is a mineralise finish which means it has a hell'uva lota glitter in it, but it's milled enough to not make it look like you've face planted a vat of glitter. For me spring says pink, and you can't get a prettier pink colour, that truly comes off pink, in a good way!

The Luxury Item- Everybody loves a bit of luxury in their life. This Chanel Blush is the perfect peachy pink colour that blends in well to your skin and gives you that perfect springs day flush. Plus, it's Chanel, beautiful enough just to look at.

What are your spring fling blushes?

Laura xoxo 

In My Eye-Line

Eyeliner is a funny old thing. It is definitely an after thought in my make-up routine, however for some they feel naked with out.

I must admit I had a tiny dabble with the whole deep black liner all round the lids, upper and lower lashline, and for that reason I find myself very apprehensive to place it anywhere near those areas again. However I do love using it to add definition to my upper lashline, so all is not lost. But for my water line I tend to steer clear; but sometimes you just need a little something there.

The Brightener - If ever I want to look more alert or awake then I always reach for my Rimmel Scandaleyes Pencil in Nude. I just love this product so much. It is really pigmented so eradicates any signs of redness whilst also really opening up my eyes and making them looker bigger and more awake.

The 'I need something there' - Sometimes you just need something on your water line to bring a look together. For that I reach for my other Rimmel Scandaleyes Pencil in Taupe. This is great as it isn't necessarily dark, but it isn't brightening either. It's a natural smokey eyes best friend.

The not quite black- Sometimes you need a dark colour to add the drama to your eye make-up and for that I reach for my Loreal Pencil in Grey. It is a lovely grey with a hint of navy to it and is great for adding the dark drama without being a black. It also is great for working into the upper lashline and smudging out too.

The something special - Ahhh, MAC Powersurge eye pencil, if you've read my blog for a while it will come as no surprise that this has made its way to this list. I love this for a nice bronze look to my eye, it really pulls together a bronze eye perfectly, and is definitely a summer staple.

The all over eye pencil- Finally the Rimmel Scandaleyes in Bronze is more of an all over the lid cream eyeshadow stick, however if you like a heavy liner look, the cream formula works great on the lower lash line to add some deep bronze to your look.

Where do you stand on liner?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: MAC All That Glitters

Ah this little golden sparkly eyeshadow was my go to shade around this time last year. It kind of reminds me of Christmas now. Whilst I am wearing eyeshadow a bit less at the moment (sleep always wins out) I pulled this out when filming a few videos a couple of weeks ago and fell back in love.

All that Glitters definitely has a lot of shimmer to it, as you would expect from its name and is very much of the gold variety.

What do you think of this eyeshadow?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: MAC Brick-o-la

Brick-o-la is a gorgeous lipstick that I often fail to reach for, why? I don't know.

A lighter version of my autumn fave Doubennet. It's a nice dark, almost red pink colour.

What do you think of this lipstick?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Powersurge Eyeliner

This is defintiely my 'summer' eyeline as it is the perfect bronze shade. After a serious hunt to get it, I finally got my hands on it last year, however I don't find myself reaching for it as much, mainly as I prefer a more natural 'bright' eye. Plus I rarely go on nights out anymore, which is where I used to wear it due to it adding something extra to a smokey eye without closing my eyes too much.

I do love whacking it all the lids a nice colour to the lids as it's so simple but adds something special to a look.

What do you think of this product?

Laura xoxo

Review: MAC Cosmo Lipstick

So when I found out I'd got my first proper job I thought a MAC lipstick would be a good way to mark the occassion, and help me decide what lipstick to wear on the first day. However when I went shopping nothing called to me, plus I was with friends who don't really get the joy of MAC so I left empty handed. Then I was in London and went to the Covent Garden store, picked this up, swatched it, liked it, then found out they didn't have it in stock. However, I was then in a John Lewis and managed to get my hands on it. So not only is it a work lippie, it's also a London one too. (I'm sentimental like that.)

Now you've had the back-story, I'll move onto the product. Cosmo is an amplified formula (my fave!) which means it's long lasting on the lips and really well pigmented. I'd describe it as a brownish/dark pink. A darker your lips kind of colour.

If you're looking for something similar for a cheaper price I recommend Rimmel's 'Asia' lipstick. Slightly less pink but still holds a similarity, and half the price!

It is probably a bit dark for the summer months, but I think it's very work place appropriate.

What do you think of this lipstick?

Laura xoxo