My Makeup Starter Kit Essentials...

Hey everyone, today I am giving you a blog post on what I think are makeup starter kit essentials.

I would still consider myself as a starter in the makeup world, so I do not think I am a professional at all, but I just thought, if you're on a budget and you want to start buying more makeup, or have a kit that enables you to do a whole full face of makeup, or even an everyday look, then these would be the products AND brushes I'd recommend.

I have tired to keep it to products that you can buy in shops rather than online, as I know some people would prefer to buy makeup in a store. I also didn't want to suggest mostly stuff that can be bought in a shop and then a couple of things from different online shops, so then you'd need to spend money on postage, which can be annoying if you only want to buy one or two things.

I genuinely love all of these products too and I'd never recommend products that I don't like, or I don't think are worth the money, no matter how cheap they are. 

 Firstly, the best primer that I'd recommend is the L'Oreal Nude Magique Blur Cream. It probably won't be much of a surprise to some of you either, as I have raved about this product before. You can buy it here: http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Nude-Magique-Blur-Cream_1432493/
Then for foundation I would recommend the L'Oreal True Match. It is a great all rounder, and it seems to match a lot of different peoples needs. It has gorgeous coverage, an amazing shade range and it blends flawlessly with you skin.
You can buy it here: http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-True-Match-Foundation_16049/
I'd then recommend applying the foundation using the Stippling Brush from Primark's PS Love range. I have spoke about this brush before, I really do love it. It is only £1.50, and leaves your foundation looking nothing less than flawless.

Next is concealers, and I couldn't pick just one, as I think they are both amazing. I'd use the concealer on my under eyes, any other blemishes or redness you want to cover after foundation, and on the bridge of the nose and the chin.
The concealers are, the Maybelline Anti-Age The Eraser Concealer, which you can buy here, http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Eraser-Eye-Concealer_1321843/ and the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, which you can buy here, http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer_1693350/.
I'd then recommend blending these into the skin using either my finger, or a makeup sponge, the one pictured is part of a set of two from the brand Models Own, and I love them! I have had mine for a while now and I think I need to purchase some more really as they look a little old. I couldn't find them on the Boots website, but here are some similar alternatives, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bocideal-Arrivisl-Flawless-Blender-Foundation/dp/B00N7IF8H2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1438959709&sr=8-4&keywords=makeup+sponge.

 Next, you will need to have something to set the concealer. This is a recent purchase but I love it, it is the Gosh Prime and Set powder. I have not used it to prime my skin yet, but I have used it to set my concealer and foundation and I love it. It comes close to the MAC Prep and Prime Finishing Powder! You can buy it here, http://www.superdrug.com/GOSH/-GOSH-Velvet-Touch-Primer-%26-Setting-Powder---Transparent/p/879457#.VcTJGkIQK0s.
I use a normal foundation brush to apply the powder to my under eyes, any one will do, mine was part of a set that was a gift to me so I have no idea where it was from, but here is a similar one, http://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Make-Up-Accessories/Make-Up-Brushes/Makeup-Revolution-Pro-F101-Foundation-Brush/p/444004#.VcTJZUIQK0s.
You can also use this powder to set the rest of your face, so that your foundation lasts longer and I also think it helps your contour blend more easily. The powder brush I'd recommend and I absolutely love is my Wilkinsons and it is a bargain at £4! You can buy it here, http://www.wilko.com/accessories-and-tools/wilko-premium-powder-brush/invt/0348250.

Right, now onto contour kits. I have one my Freedom Makeup that I love, but like I said, you'd have to order it online which can be annoying, so instead I would recommend this Contour Kit by Barry M. The contour shade on the far right is amazing, not at all orange, very cool toned so it mimics a shadow more, and the shade in the middle is a little warmed which can be used as a bronzer. You can buy it here, http://www.boots.com/en/Barry-M-Chisel-Cheeks-Contour-Kit-7-5g_1655085/.
The brush I'd highly recommend to apply the contour with is the Real Techniques Contour Brush. You can buy it here, it is sold as a set, but the whole set is amazing! I'd highly recommend the set, http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques-Core-Collection-1403_1252038/.
The highlighter I would recommend is the highlighter shade in the MUA Sculpt and Bronze Contour Kit, which can be bought here, http://www.superdrug.com/MUA/MUA-Luxe-Contour-Kit-Fair-Medium-735/p/471303#.VcTLGkIQK0s. I apply this with what resembles a blusher brush, again this was a gift, but here is an alternative, http://www.wilko.com/accessories-and-tools/wilko-blusher-brush/invt/0348253.

In terms of blusher I would recommend, for a starter kit especially, are those from the pounds shops makeup range called Makeup Gallery. They offer a range of about 6 different shades, the packaging is nice and they are very subtle and leave a nice finish.
You can use any fluffy blusher brush for this, mine was part of a gift again, but here is a similar one, http://www.wilko.com/accessories-and-tools/wilko-premium-blusher-brush/invt/0350151.

In terms of eyeshadow, the palette I own that I would recommend the most for someone just starting out with makeup, is the Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 1 palette. The pigmentation is gorgeous, the colour range is beautiful, and it can create subtle everyday looks, as well as dramatic looks. You can buy it here, http://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Eyes/Eye-Shadow-Palettes/Makeup-Revolution-Salvation-palette-Iconic-Pro-1/p/446600#.VcTM0kIQK0s.
The eye shadow brushes I use are off amazon, an online shop I know, but the shipping is free. These come in a set of five, I just couldn't find all 5 of mine, but the fluffy ones are my favourites and they make blending eyeshadow so easy! Here is the link for them, http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MHLD1X8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00, they really are a bargain at £2.59.

The best eyeliner I have found so far, and the cheapest, is definitely the liquid eyeliner from Makeup Gallery.
The mascara I would always recommend to a professional in makeup or a starter, is the PS Love Lift and Curl Mascara, it is by far worth more than £2.

Now for brows, for a starter eyebrows can be so tricky to master, but I found the easiest thing to use was a pencil, personally. The one I first loved the most and I still love is the Soap and Glory Archery Pencil, you can buy it here, http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory-ARCHERY-2-in-1-Brow-Filling-Pencil-Brush_1524204/.

Finally, for lipsticks, for a starter I would recommend any of the MUA and Make Up Revolution lipsticks, especially as the majority are only £1 each! AMAZING! They are so good for the price, you'll won't believe it until you test them yourself. But yes you may need to reapply a couple of times in the day but for £1 you still can not complain, as they are so pigmented.
You can buy them at Superdrug, www.superdrug.com.

So there it is guys, my Makeup Starter Kit Essentials. I hope this was useful for some of you, and I'd love to know if you go out and buy any of these and let me know what you think :)

Do you guys like my new logo at the top of the blog page? I'd love to know your opinions.

Thanks for reading,

Love, Abbie

<3

Boots and TKMaxx Haul...

Sooooo, I might have gone to Boots today! Oops, but here is what I bought:

Disclaimer: This blog post was lot more detailed, but the website crashed as I went to publish it and I lost the whole post! Annoying. So this is the second time I am typing it up so it is going to be quick, as it took me over an hour last time, and I don't have the patience to spend that long on it again, haha.

I got an Elizabeth Arden Mascara from TKMaxx, this retails at £22, but I got this for £7.99, which is amazing. I also wanted to get the Revlon Photo Ready 3D Volume Mascara from Boots for £10.99, but managed to get a kit with two of the mascaras and an eyeliner for £7.99, which is AMAZING, so I definitely couldn't say no to it, haha.

I also got the new Benefit Operation Pore-Proof kit, which looks AMAZING. I have wanted it since I saw the preview, so I picked this up without even a second thought, haha.

I love my Natural Collection Blush in the shade Peach Melba, so I got another one in the shade Rosey Glow. I also got a bronzer in the shade Golden Glow.

I picked up one of the Lash Sensational Mascaras as I have only heard good things. I am also running out of my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer so I had to get another one.
Shaaanxo (youtuber) goes on about the L'Oreal Brow Plumper all the time, so when I saw it I had to pick it up as if she raves about it, it must be good! I also got the new L'Oreal Superliner, as it looks so good, and again, I have heard really good things.

I also got a No7 liquid eye liner too, I want to start buying more so that I can find the perfect liner or so I can find one that I find easier to use as I am terrible at applying liquid eyeliner. I also got a No7 brow pencil as my Soap and Glory one will have run out soon, so I wanted to try a new one.
I also got one of the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB creams, as the only one I own is way, way too orange for me, and this one looks light enough so I really wanted to give it a go.
I have also heard people rave about the Wake Me Up Rimmel Concealer, so, again, I thought I'd give it a go.

I picked up a Vichy DermaBlend Full Coverage Foundation, as I have heard quite good things. I am so excited to try it. I have very high expectations especially as it was £18!
I also got the No7 brush cleaner, and I have just tried it and OMG I love it! My brushes were clean so quickly and effortlessly.
I picked up a L'Oreal BB powder too, as part of a 3 for 2 offer, as I needed to pick a third thing and decided to give this powder a go.
I am also super excited to try the new Maybelline Master Sculpt Conour Kit too, and I must say the highlighter looks beautiful.

I got a free gift with my two No7 purchases, which included a Skin Illuminator Primer, a single eyeshadow in a shimmering deep purple shade, and an Intense Volume Mascara.

But the best part of the free gift was the free lipstick voucher for up to £9.95! I had a hard time choosing a shade, mainly because they were all so similar. They all seemed to be pink shades that all seemed the same, there was not one purple or nude shade in the offer, which was annoying as I don't often wear pink shades, but I picked up this one in the end, and it is pretty but I don't know how much wear I will get out of it to be honest.

So, it is safe to say I spent way too much money in Boots today, but I was treating myself because yesterday I found out that I got the job for the interviews I had been too, YAYAY :D! I have just under three weeks until I start so until then I will be buying work clothes mainly now, and possibly a little more makeup. I will update you all when I have bought a load of work clothes and show you all. :)

Again, this was a rushed post as it was the second time I had typed it up. Fingers crossed it works this time, as I doubt I will have the patience to try for a third time today! haha. 

Anyway, tomorrow I will be uploading a 'my makeup starter kit essentials' post, so keep an eye out for that :)

Thanks for reading everyone,

Love Abbie 

<3

Beauty Crowd Mini Haul...

This is just going to be a super quick mini haul post, as I am currently fighting to keep my eyes open, as recently I have had major trouble sleeping and last night I had about 3 hours sleep at the most and it's been like that for a few weeks now, and it is most definitely taking it toll on me now! Ahhhhh, but I really wanted to get a blog post up for you all, so here it goes :)

Being a blogger I was able to sign up and be a part of Beauty Crowd's Pro site, where they sell various makeup products at discounted prices, and with it all so cheap how could I say no? haha.

I got this parcel in the post today, and I was super excited! Look how cute it is...

When I opened it, I saw these two things and I thought, oh I didn't order these, and they were thrown in for free! yay. I got a free lipstick in a bright pink shade and a free sample of a foundation and a primer.

And then to the stuff I actually paid for, how exciting does that all look? Oh, it's just me? Haha. I get way too excited when it comes to makeup.

In the big thing at the top is an eyeshadow palette, by LA Girl, its the Brick Eyeshadow Palette in Ultra. I also got a bottle of micellar water by Bell Hypoallergenic as I just ran out of my previous micellar water and I literally love using it to remove makeup, so I knew I couldn't live without some more! 

I also got one of the Milani Illuminating Face Powder, as I have heard so much about them! I got mine in the shade Beauty's Touch. It looks so pretty and amazing, and just WOW.

I also got one of the LA Girl Pro Concealers as, again, I've heard so much good stuff about this concealer. They didn't have the lightest one in stock so I got the shade Natural, but it still looks perfect for my skin tone.

I also got a Milani Total Lash Cover Mascara, the wand looks... interesting, but in a good way! I actually used it today and I love it!

I got all this for under £13! Bargain, right, I know! Amazing.

Thank you Beauty Crowd Pro <3

A first impressions and swatch post will be coming very, very soon!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, but there will be more pictures, that are clearer in my swatch and first impressions post.

:)

MAC Stone Lipliner makeup look...

Hey, so the other day I received MAC's stone lipliner in the post, special mention to my boyfriend James for buying it for me! I have wanted it for SO long, and I recently went into a MAC store and there was none left, so I ended up ordering it online. As soon as it came I just had to do all my makeup and try it out, as you do.

Here is the look I created, nothing too much, just a simple eye, bold brows, contour, and the bold Stone lip:

Here is how I created the look:

 On my face I used L'oreal Nude Magique BB Cream. I don't use this very often, because it is usually slightly too dark for me, but I love it, and now I fake tan it is actually perfect. I used this as a primer rather than a BB cream. Over the top I used a tiny bit of Benefit's Porefessional under my eyes, and around my nose.

Then I used Benefit's Hello Flawless foundation, which is soooooo nice! I haven't used it much but it really does make you look flawless, even without concealer! But, I still used my Collection concealer, as no matter how good the coverage, I still don't think I'd ever be able to do my makeup without using concealer.

Then I set my under eye concealer with MAC's Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, and then set the rest of the face with Benefits Hello Flawless Powder. Then I bronzed my cheeks, forehead, chin and jaw line with Benefit's Hoola. I contoured with Freedom's Bronzed Professional Pro Warm Lights, I also used the lightest shade to highlight under my eyes, down my nose and under my contour. I used Benefit's Rockateur Blusher, and MUA's Undress Your Skin to highlight.

On my brows I drew them on and filled them in using Soap and Glory's Archery Brow Pencil, and then used Benefit's Gimme Brow.

On the eyes I used the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige, and then I used the light brown colour (last colour, top row) from the MUA Essential Mattes Palette in my crease and a tiny bit on the lower lid. Then I coated my lashes in the Freedom Curl Mascara.  

And then, obviously, I used MAC's stone lipliner all over the lips. I did apply the tiniest amount of Vaseline to the lips first though, as my lips were slightly dry and I knew using this lipliner all over would dry them out even more without the Vaseline. It also made it easier to fill in the lips too!

I hope you all like this look, I absolutely loved it! And I am in love with the Stone lipliner too! I will definitely be getting the lipstick version when it comes out in August/September here in the UK!

New makeup brand- Freedom makeup haul...

This is a very exciting post for me! I love buying make-up, obviously, and I have wanted to order some make-up from the new brand Freedom Makeup London for ages! When I saw they were giving away £15 worth of makeup when you spend £25 and I had a 20% off voucher code too, I couldn't say no. I got all of this makeup, over £50 worth, for £30!

Here are the lip products I ordered, in shades, flushed, red wine, mannequin, juicy lips, adorn, space luxe, sooner or later, and far away.
I am already in love with all of them! I have worn sooner or later today, a pinky based nude, and it nicely pigmented yet feels so light on the lips, it almost feels as though you haven't got any lipstick on at all, but there is no pigmentation lost as a result.
All of these lipsticks are £1 each.

 These are the Pro Melts, in the shades, d-ream, and just do it. Despite the fact that just do it, being blue, is a very different shade to anything I have ever worn before, I absolutely love it.
The only thing I don't like is that it can become a little streaky, and it needs to be built up on the lips for a very pigmented finish. But although it does feel thick on the lips, it isn't unpleasant, it just feels as though it will last a long time on the lips.
These are both £3 each.

 As shown on the picture to the left, I also ordered a Blush and Highlight palette in Peach Spice, the Pro Contour kit in fair, the concealer palette in light, and Pro Warm Lights palette.

I have already used the concealer palette and the coverage is amazing, and I love the range of colours, and I can pick different colours for different uses and for different areas of my face. I also used the contour kit today too, and the highlight shade is perfect! Having super pale skin I have never found the perfect shade to actually highlight my face, but this does. The contour shade is also perfect for my pale skin, and its super blendable. The kit is perfect.

The blush palette is £6, the contour kit is £3.50, the concealer palette is £5 and the Pro Warm Lights palette is £4. 

I also ordered the makeup fixing spray, which is £4, two Pro Glow powders in shades meow and purr, which are £2.50 each, blushers in shades lethal weapon and beyond, a bronzer in the shade 110 matte which is £2, and the Pro Mattify primer which is £4. I love all of these products, apart from the blusher in shade beyond, it's an orangey super shimmery blush, because of the amount of shimmer I wouldn't use it as a blush but it could be used as a highlight if used lightly. The mattifying primer is lovely, it is just the kind of primer I love! I also love the bronzer, although it says it is matte, I swear there is some shimmer in it, but I still love it. I used it today and was worried it would be orange, but it is perfect. It is one of the nicest bronzers I have ever used, especially given that it is only £2. 

 I also ordered eyeshadows in the shades, smoulder 213, brights 228, 227 & 230, gilded 216 & 217. They are all £1 each.
I haven't used any of it yet but they all look gorgeous! I have swatched a couple of them and they were both amazingly pigmented, but I can't wait to test out how easy they blend and how long they keep their colour thought the day.

 I also ordered the Pro curve mascara, which was £2, and I am pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect much, seeing as I am rather attached to the PS love curl and lift mascara and nothing seems to come close to that, but this mascara is just as good! I love it. I used it today, and I only needed too coats and my lashes look really nice.

Finally, I also ordered the Pro line waterproof in black which is £1.50. The applicator is really thin, so looks as though it'll produce a nice thin precise line, and upon swatching I found that it was really really black, where some can be more of a grey black, this was exactly what you want a black eyeliner to be- pure black!

Overall, I am super happy with everything I ordered! I will be doing first impression posts as I try out these products in the coming weeks. But so far, from the products I have tried I love them!

You can't expect too much from products that are so cheap, but they have passed my expectations by miles and miles. 

All products can be bought directly from http://www.freedommakeuplondon.com, you get free delivery when you spend £30 or more, and use the code BEFREETOMAKEUP from 20% off.

If any of you have bought any products from the Freedom Makeup brand I would love to hear what you think, or if you have any other recommendations, as I already know as soon as I have the money I will be wanting to buy more from this brand! I am already super annoyed that I didn't order their foundation, as I have heard so many good things. 

Current Favourites...

So, I am going to talk about my current make-up favourites.

I want to start with one of the best dupes I have personally ever found!

Loreal Nude Magique Blur Cream- this is an amazing dupe for Benefit Porefessional, and given the price difference I reach for this more often than Porefessional. I only own sample sizes of Porefessional and since finding this dupe a few months ago I will never buy the full sized, as this is exactly the same in my opinion. I don't think that this perfectly fills in pores but I also do not think Porefessional does either, so they both perform on par with one another. But this products definitely gives me a close to perfect, smooth base to then apply my concealer and foundation, and I LOVE it, I literally couldn't recommend it enough,
This retails at £9.99 from Boots, and there is currently a 3 for 2 offer on Loreal too!
http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Nude-Magique-Blur-Cream_1432493/


The foundation I have been loving recently is one that I bought a few months ago, used it a couple of times, then forgot about it. But I have recently started using it again and I have fell in love with it!

It is Max Factor's Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion foundation. This foundation, paired with the right concealer, which I will mention next, makes your face look FLAWLESS, literally. This gives an airbrushed finish especially when applied with a stippling brush! When I used it the other day I was amazed at how flawless my make-up looked, I literally did not want to take it off. The only disappointing thing is that I do not think it will last long, as I haven't actually used it that many times, nor do I use that much of the product, but there is a massive dip in the product as if I have used it loads of times. This foundation does also need to be set with a powder, which doesn't bother me as I always set my foundation anyway, but it might bother some.
This foundation retails at £12.99 at Boots, and again, Max Factor also have a  3 for 2 offer on at the moment too!
http://www.boots.com/en/Max-Factor-Miracle-Touch-Foundation_125268/

Now, as promised, my favourite concealer. And if you're one for watching YouTube videos regularly about make-up, or read other make-up blogs, you probably won't be surprised at this.

It is the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. This is the best concealer I have ever used! Its coverage is amazing, under foundation it concealers all my blemishes and red areas on my skin like a dream. I must have had this for around 6 months too, and I use it almost every time I do my make-up, and I am only just starting to run out! And I am literally devastated that I am coming to the last few uses of this concealer, but I will definitely be repurchasing ASAP! I find this gives the best finish when applied directly from the applicator to the face and then dabbed into the skin using a beauty blender.
This retails at £4.19 at Boots! I know right, it is sooooo cheap, but trust me, it is also AMAZING!
http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer_1436032/
But you will be lucky to find this so easily, as it is usually out of stock everywhere, because it is such a loved product! But weirdly enough, I always find that 90% of the time, they are in stock at Morrisons supermarkets, those that sell Collection make-up anyway.

Now, if someone were to ask my what my favourite bronzer was, I would definitely always say this one, especially for people with super pale skin, like me.

This is the MUA mosaic bronzer in the shade natural glow. And it really is what it says, a beautiful natural glow. Most bronzers are way WAY too dark for me, given my extremely pale skin, but this is gorgeous, it is not too dark, not too much, not dramatic, it is perfect for an every day bronze. It doesn't have too much shimmer that it looks like you have chunks of glitter on your face, it has just the right amount of light shimmer to give a gorgeous light glow. I have used this bronzer A LOT and it was one of the first bronzers I bought, probably about 1 year ago, but it hardly looks touched in the pan! This will last you ages, I use the Eco Tools powder brush to apply this to my cheeks, forehead and jaw line, and I always love the finish it gives, its so natural, oh and not at all orange! Which is obviously a plus.
This retails at an amazing £2.50 directly from the MUA website.
http://www.muastore.co.uk/mosaic-bronzer-shade-1-natural-glow

Now for another dupe make-up favourite AND I actually prefer this over the high end product!

This is a mascara from Primark's make-up range PS Love, it is the Lift and Curl Mascara. This is a very close dupe for the new Benefit Roller Lash, and I actually like this one more! This is no where near as clumpy as Roller Lash! It just gives gorgeous, long, thicker, lifted lashes, just like Roller Lash, but like I said, with less clumps, and at a fraction of the price!
This is probably my all time favourite make-up product, probably because I didn't expect to really like it, being so cheap, let alone be a dupe for a Benefit product and be even better in my eyes.
I always recommend this mascara to people because I think its definitely a hidden gem that most people probably don't know about.

This is just one coat of the mascara, and you only need 2 coats, 3 at most!
This retails at £2, so definitely worth a buy, even just to try it because even if you don't love it as much as me, you haven't lost too much money.

Finally, what would a favourites post be without lipstick?

My fave lipstick right now is definitely Mac Velvet Teddy. I am OBSESSED. It lasts all day, smells gorgeous, doesn't dry my lips too much, and it is a gorgeous everyday colour that goes with near enough everything! This was also my first ever MAC lipstick, and it will definitely always be one of my favourite lipsticks.
This retails at £15.50, yes super expensive for one lipstick, but I don't often treat myself to expensive make-up products but I believe you should sometimes, and this is definitely worth the money as I wear it so often. I am also looking to use this in an ombre lip look soon too!
http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/168/310/Products/Lips/Lipstick/Lipstick/index.tmpl


I did not realise this post would be so long, but I guess I just have a lot to say, as I love all these products.
I hope you liked it and if you made it to the end without getting bored then YAY :)