January Favourites

BRR! January has been bloody cold hasn’t it? I cannot wait for Spring to roll round for slightly better temperatures. Still one month into January I’m keeping on my new years resolutions and hopefully 2017 will shape up to be a good year. So what have I been loving in January 2017 . . .

I don’t want to say too much as I want to do a full review shortly but the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask has been a saviour this month. My skin has been so dry recently and this has refreshed my skin, but I will post the full review shortly.

New year and a new way to mix up my makeup routine, I have been really enjoying using the Kiko Milano Skin Tone Foundation Brush. It aids smooth and flawless makeup application, if you want to know more why not check out my review from the start of the month.

This time of year is always weird with what colours to wear, vampy and reds feel weird after Christmas but it’s way too soon to break out the pastels and brights. I’m back on the neutral/nude band wagon and I’ve really been loving the No 7 Limited Edition Nail Colour in Brown, pretty and perfect for everyday. I also think it goes with everything and looks smart and manicure.

A bit of a short favourites this month as I have been re using a lot of the same products, maybe I will start to mix everything up again shortly. Let me know what you have you been loving this month, let me know in the comments so I can check them out.

Gwen

xx

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Everyday Work Makeup

When you wake up early every morning, when it is cold and dark sometimes it’s hard to feel inspired to mix things up. I mixed up my makeup bag, and I am loving my current makeup routine so I thought I would take a few minutes to share it with you guys here.

I have to say my morning makeup is one of the most all over thing’s ever, but it works perfect for a work morning where I drink my coffee, watch youtube and get ready. I’m just on the last little bit of the PS Pro Miracle Primer , but I’ve enjoyed using it as a strong base for my makeup. I’m still on my L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation in Rose Ivory kick, the best colour match and every occasion foundation I have ever tried. Don’t ever change, L’Oreal True Match.

So, once I’ve got my strong base I start on my eyes, and I’m so into my pinks at the moment creating a basic pink neutral shades I use the Catrice Absolute Eye Colour in 1010 Touch of Rose as an all over the lid colour. I then build up the look to various amounts depending on my mood with the Fleur De Force Quad Eyeshadow in 020 Luna Rose . Finally, I finish up my eyes with the L’Oréal Paris So Couture Super Liner, I so need a new one soon but it does the job.

The next step is to finish off my face, as I like to wait to finish my eyes off first so any corrections are easier. I’m still in love with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and I’ve been setting it with the Collection Primed & Ready Invisible Setting Power both of which are strong basics for anyone’s makeup routine. I feel like these last two are in a lot of routines but I just always tend to gravitate to my Sleek Face Form Pallet in Light still for light sculpting after well over a year now it’s still a daily go to, and currently I love pairing it with the MUA Blusher in Cupcake which is perfect for just everyday.

So, what’s missing? Well brows and Mascara of course, I told you I do these in a weird order but its just how I like to do it. Maybe the weird order is what happens when you haven’t finished your coffee. Sometimes I feel as though Natural Collection is a serious under rated range they offer great products, I am in love with my Natural Collection Brow Pencil the colour is great, it’s easy to use and the spoolie on the other end is endlessly useful. I’m currently trying out the Revlon All-In-One Ultimate Mascara, so keep your eyes peeled as I will post a review shortly.

So that’s it my easy makeup, what are your go to and daily staples.

Gwen

xx

 

January 2017 Collective Haul

In case you missed my Beauty Resolutions at the start of the month, I am trying to only buy what I need so I thought I would start again with my monthly collective hauls. It’s just a nice way to share anything I’ve brought and I already know I will be buying less this year, as I am trying to do one in one out with beauty products but I’m also only buying clothes I need so I actually like and wear what I own. So in the month of huge sales how much resistance have I managed to shop

 

Leia Factory Shop: If you are busty you know sometimes finding a good bra can be expensive and I feel like Leia is one of the best kept secrets the website often has 50% off sales but I live fairly closed to the factory outlet a tiny shop filled with racks of bras. A couple of times of years they have major sales where the bras are so cheap and I love the Freya Decos, I showed restraint after buying a few back in October so I left with two Bra and two pants which match (the purple matches a previous bra.)

Deco Vibe (£36 £9, 75% off), Deco Delight (£34 £9, 74% off), Deco Vibe Shorts (£13 £3 each 77% off)

If you are curious about the shop and what they offer you can check out Leia here, but as you can see the sales are definitely worth it.

Primark: I am currently on the lookout for a nice, expensive(ish) bag but in the mean time I need a smart bag for work as my current bag is looking a little bit worse for wear. Although I’d tend to go for a black bag I fell in love with this Nude Zip Tote Bag (£9.00), I couldn’t resist and its relatively inexpensive. Also its huge I’m going to transfer all my stuff across shortly.

Boots: January was a month to stock up on some basics once again, I’ve fallen in love with the Boots Essentials Cucumber Cleansing Wipes (£1.00 each) and with a points bonus it made sense to stock up now. Continuing with basics in the month of December I was constantly foing my nails for various occasions and I’m almost out of nail polish remover so I thought I would give the Boots 2-In-1 Nail Polish Remover (£1.29), I’m not loyal with nail polish removers and tend to buy what’s there.

My skin is so dry at the moment so I’m going made with face masks in order to give my skin some much needed TLC, so while it was on offer I picked up a couple of the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask (£0.99 each). I’ve got one already but I cannot wait to put them to the test.

The final thing I picked up was the Revlon All In One Ultimate Mascara (£9.99), I cannot wait to give it a go as I love as I desperately need a new mascara. Don’t worry I will post a review shortly.

 

What have you picked up in January either in the sales or in general. I’ve still got a few items on my list so there will still be more hauls don’t worry.

Gwen

xx

Review: P.S Pro Illuminating Primer

I feel as though I am slowly getting back into the swing of things but it’s taken a while to just sit down and make myself write when there are so many other things that need doing. Still one of the best ways to get back into it is reviews, straight forward with a clear plan.

In 2016 I reviewed another Primark Primer, which I really enjoyed but once again I always have to be on the look our for another Primer. To mix things up in 2017 I felt like going for brightening my skin with an illuminating primer, so here is how I got on with the PS Pro Illuminating Primer which is a “Sheer illuminating base gives skin a natural glow”.

The box promises that the Illuminating Primer:

“Gives skin a natural glow without looking greasy. Creates a soft-focus appearance to veil the look of fine lines and pores. Preps the skin for a luminous flawless makeup application. Can also be applied over makeup as a liquid highlighter for normal/combination skin”

I have to say I love the look of the PS Pro range packaging the matte primer had a matte black squeeze tube while this one has a lovely white satin packaging, it’s just that thought into the outside looking smart and reflecting the packaging. In this case the packaging directly matches the product when you squeeze this onto the back of your hand the white cream has this sort of radiance to it, it is not quite glitter but you can see the illuminating products. This is not an instant wow my face is beautiful and illuminated but this adds a radiant glow to your face and looks great in the right light.

Depending on the foundation you put over the top, you can see the illuminating properties underneath. Yet if you use a heavier coverage you cannot really tell and the primer offers minimal effect. If you want a true illuminating effect is beautiful over the top of foundation using a small amount just adds a glow to the skin, it’s a great long lasting highlight. So actually, if you want a lovely budget liquid highlighter I would totally recommend it.

So as a primer purely as a base, makeup does sit nicely on top of it but I did not feel as though it added longevity and in dry patches my makeup still broke up. This may be the time of year I have chosen to test this as my skin is dry at the moment. I feel as though other primers offer more with smooth skin finishes or a moisturising base.

Overall if you want a primer I’d say maybe look elsewhere but if you want a liquid highlight this is actually a great product and I would definitely pick it up. The PS Pro Illumination Primer is available from Primark for an affordable £5.00.

 

Gwen

xx

Review: PS Pro Longwear Mineralised Foundation in 00 Porcelain

Sorry guys this post was meant to be up yesterday but I was too busy playing Sims 4, they finally added toddlers in a free update on Thursday. As a long term Sims lover this was amazing and I did nothing but Sims, so naughty me ended up finalising the post yesterday night when the post was already meant to be live. But hey grab your coffee and start off your Monday morning right as you add things mentally to your shopping list.

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know that my all-time favourite foundation is the L’Oreal True Match Foundation but recently I have want to try something new and while perusing Primark I stumbled upon the PS Pro range and seeing how pale the foundations got I just couldn’t resist.

According to the packaging the PS Pro Longwear Mineralised Foundation:

“Advanced formula provides all the benefits of mineral powders;

Contains silica, mica, magnesium, copper, zinc, kaolin, manganese and vitamins;

Smooths the appearance of skin imperfections and moisturises;

Provides excellent coverage with a natural finish and weightless feel;

With SPF 15 to protect the skin from the sun”

One of the things that surprised me was how pigmented and thick the foundation is, it’s definitely a full coverage foundation you cannot even slightly question it but this is definitely a longwearing foundation. At this point I slightly disagree with the weightless feel claim, it’s not weighty but it’s not heavy and cakey on the skin it just gives you that completely airbrush skin where you can hide all of your imperfections.

I’ve found the best way to apply this is with a flat bottomed brush, you need less product and it leave a nice natural and full coverage look. I found with a sponge part way through the morning the foundation would break up or it would apply funny. In fact I apply this foundation with the Kiko Milano Skin Tone Foundation Brush which I reviewed earlier this week if you wish to check out the full post here.

The one downside is that I found that although the makeup itself is not drying when my skin seriously dried out about a week ago it was slightly patchy but after a few face mask, and some tlc it is now applying perfectly again. This is definitely more of a foundation for normal/combination skin.  Still I recommend checking it out wether you want a good budget option, want a nice pale option or just like trying out new foundation, I generally like the stuff I’ve found in the PS beauty range and cannot wait to try out some more in future.

The PS Pro Longwear Mineralised Foundation is available for £4.00 from Primark, this range seems to have loads of colours as well as testers in store if you are curious to try.

Gwen

xx

 

Review: Kiko Milano Skin Tone Foundation Brush

For the past 18 months or so I have exclusively applied foundation with a sponge, but I wanted to mix it up and try something new. In the past I’ve tried a traditional foundation brush but often found they take too long to blend but I thought this flat top, would be interesting to try. The Kiko Milano website describes the brush as:

“Brush for applying liquid foundations. The special synthetic fibres are soft to the touch and ensure an even and effortless application. The flexible, durable bristles are highly effective at applying the product. The dome shape and quality of the bristles minimize product waste for a flawless result. The black polished aluminium handle gives the brush an elegant and professional appearance. The design is modern and practical, the ferrule lightweight and resistant.”

I really wasn’t sure what I’d think about it, as I love the finish my makeup sponge provides it’s just a pain to wash but I decided to just go for it and see what happens. I initially tried it with my all-time favourite foundation the L’Oréal True Match Foundation, I couldn’t believe the result my skin looked flawless and air brush. The key is to just keep blending and applying in circular motions until everything is even and there are no lines, it takes a few minutes but is well worth the effort my skin has never looked so smooth and even.

I must say I feel as though application does take longer with the brush and for concealer I still prefer a sponge, but for an airbrushed perfect face without much though I do not see myself ditching the brush any time soon. With a constant motion, it definitely does not feel as though it takes longer. I’ve also noticed that I use less foundation, even with a wet sponge some always soaks in and although there will be some loss of product with the brush it cuts down the amount of product and provides a higher level of coverage. Now the True Match foundation is fairly thin, I’ve also tried it with the much more heavy duty PS Pro Mineralised Foundation (review coming Friday), and this brush still applies flawlessly in fact it proved to be the best form of application for this more heavy duty product.

The Kiko Milano Skin Tone Foundation brush officially retails at £16.90 but Kiko often have offers on and at the time of writing it is currently available on the website for £11.80, check it out here.

I definitely recommend checking out the Kiko Milano Skin Tone Foundation Brush, I definitely will be using it every time I apply my makeup for the time being. I love the finish and it hasn’t failed me yet.

Gwen

xx

2017 Beauty Resolutions

New year, New ME! I am not that person, I stopped making resolutions when I realised that I would never stick to them but this year I’ve come up with a few beauty specific ones that I feel like I want to stick to. Also by writing them here and hopefully by tracking my progress through posts I might be able to stick to them that little bit better. So here are my beauty resolutions for 2017.

I shall use up what I have . . . We all know it’s hard to resist picking up the latest hyped product, or resisting a beautiful eyeshadow you’ve swatched while at the makeup counter but do we really need all of these things. I am always gulty of having several mascaras on the go at once, a few to many primers or foundations. For some products you need range, but others you don’t so this year I am going to buy less but use more. Hopefully you’ll be seeing less hauls of more of the same, I will be resisting impulse purposes and using my makeup. In 2017 I will ditch the empties for progress on using up makeup and skincare, I will use up and save money.

I shall always remove my makeup completely . . . This is something I have been trying to do for ages but some days I just cannot be arsed in all honesty. So, I’m going to make it my aim in 2017 to everyday to at least commit to some sort of skincare routine where I am definitely removing all makeup in its entirety. This year I will stop being lazy and look after my skin.

I shall push the boundaries . . . If you read my lipstick diaries series (part one, part two, part three) last year, you will of seen me go on a mini journey of exploration and self-confidence and I pushed myself to try something new. I’m so glad I tried it and I think this year I will try to expand my boundaries in terms of makeup, try new techniques, colours and just generally play you never know what you might discover and grow. I just need to work out where to start . . .

Three simple resolutions for 2017, that hopefully I can commit to. I will be sure to keep you all posted as we all know that’s sometimes the best way to keep on track

 

Gwen

xx