concealer

Bh Cosmetics 5 Piece Brush Set…

Based on the brushes I have tried (of which there are a few), this five piece face set from bhcosmetics is among the best.

These are the first brushes I have used from this brand and to say I am impressed is an understatement.

The 108 is my favourite. The bristles are so soft it was a pleasure applying my powder. The 110 is perfect for blush, again incredibly soft and fluffy and able to pick up a good amount of product without having to dip 10 times or to go coco the clown after one swipe. The 110 would also be fantastic for bronzer or for setting the under eye area as it is so light and well made.

I used the paddle “foundation’ brush to apply my concealer, it presses into the skin nicely without being too stiff, which is nice for packing on product and not loosing it to a brush or sponge that can suck it up. I think this would be beautiful for foundation especially for a medium to full coverage look. I am a hethan and apply my foundation with my fingers as I like to press it into my skin, I found the duo fibre brush great for a finishing touch to buff it in and give an airbrushed effect.

At such a low price point these brushes are an absolute bargain. The eye shadow palettes from bh are fantastic and so are the blushes. An amazing brand on the whole and one I highly recommend checking out whatever your budget.

Thanks for stopping by, as always Nicola x

Every Day Makeup…

These are the products I’m reaching for on an every day basis. My picks leaning towards a light hydrated base,
a flush of colour on the cheeks with subtle eyes and lips.

Mummy in a hurry, but still put together

MAKEUP

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer MECCA Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer MECCA
Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation BOOTS
Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer Sephora
Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder Sephora
Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blusher BOOTS
Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette MECCA
L’oread Miss Manga Mascara BOOTS
E.L.F Brow Kit e.l.f
Y.S.L. ROUGE VOLUPTE in number 2 MYER

Smashbox renowned for their photo finish primers have released a range of products to target specific skin needs
My skin is dehydrated so I use the blue HYDRATING oil free primer which gives a smooth canvas and leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed
If you fear layering products on the face as I did, i strongly suggest giving this a try…

Boujours Radiance reveal healthy mix foundation, a firm drugstore favourite of many
gives a satin finish without looking overly dewy or shiny
This foundation uses ‘fruit therapy’ to help condition the skin leaving it hydrated and luminous
I use the Real Techniques beauty sponge or my Bobbi Brown Full Coverage buffing brush to apply this all over my face and down my neck.

My partner returned from a recent trip to Singapore with the Amazing cosmetics amazing concealer which has bold claims of being the ‘best concealer in the world’…
hmmmm I’m not sure I agree with that, it has fantastic coverage and a tiny amount is all you need
but it is immensely drying and without a hydrating eye cream or under eye primer emphasises the fine lines under my eyes
Collection lasting perfection concealer is a great dupe for this and the finish is very similar.

My contour is kevin Aucoin The Sculpting Powder in Medium
This is a beautiful, beautiful ashy shade that looks like a shadow rather than a warm bronze
If I get over zealous with this it does give the opposite effect to what I want and makes me look drawn, not a great look on anyone

For cheeks I use Max Factor Miracle Touch Cream Blush in 14 Soft Pink
Lightly dabbed onto the high points of my cheeks with my finger tips
This lasts well throughout the day and looks dewy and polished
I have started wearing my blush higher and farther back on my face as I found this far more flattering

I have a wash of Urban Decay Foxy on my lids and a slick of Miss Manga Mascara in black on my top and bottom lashes
Brows are E.L.F Brow kit in Ash as always

What are the products you have been loving?
And what are you eager to try/

Have a lovely day and thanks for reading

When M.U.A’s Play…

I’m a big fan of natural makeup, but sometimes it’s nice to glam things up, just because it’s a Thursday
– or just because you went to see Rihanna and now feel every bit the empowered siren!
It’s so easy to get stuck in a makeup rut, wearing the same shades and tones,
(I am a naked basics girl 90% of the time)
However I thought I would share this look that a M.U.A friend of mine did for me.

@ came round and we had a fab girly day
Involving hot chocolate, online shopping, more coffee than should really be consumed and make overs
The resulting look a beautiful, but more importantly wearable orange eye and flawless skin.

Starting with M.A.C Paint Pot in Painterly as a base all over the lid
then going straight in with a vibrant orange from Sleek I-DIVINE EYESHADOW PALETTE IN ULTRA MATTES V1 over the top, patting, blending, repeat until the colour popped
The same shade was taken under the lid for balance
The rest of the eye is exactly the same as I usually wear
A warm toned brown above the crease, I love my M.A.C Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze for this
M.A.C Pro Long wear Eyeshadow in Make Your Mark in the crease as well as the outer corners
Then finished with a liquid liner and black mascara
My base is Chanel Vitalumiere
With M.A.C Select Coverup Concealer under my eyes, blended well
To contour Shauna used M.A.C Select Cover-up concealer 2 shades darker than my skin tone which gave such a subtle blend-able contour that looks incredibly natural
Finishing off with M.A.C Mineralise Skin Finish in Light under eye and through the T zone and then M.A.C Mineralise Skin Finish in Medium Plus over the contour and around the perimeters of the face.
I absolutely love the finished look and think the orange works wonders with my blue eyes.