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.

:)

Job Interview Makeup and Outfit...

As you might have guessed by the title, I had a job interview today, eeeeeeek, scary I know! I was so nervous this morning, I could hardly eat because I felt so sick, haha!

I had initially decided I wouldn't wear makeup as I didn't want to look 'fake', but then when I found out that I had to do a presentation as part of the interview I knew I wouldn't feel comfortable with no makeup on while doing a presentation. Because doing presentations are probably one of the scariest things I have ever had to do and I avoid them at all costs! Even at university when it came to doing group presentations I would be the only one in the group who wouldn't talk! Ah I hate them, but I do know I would find it slightly less nerve racking if I felt comfortable within my own skin, so therefore I knew I had to wear makeup.

Yes, I know it is silly that I don't feel comfortable without makeup on, but I just love how makeup can just cover my blemishes and instantly make me feel better.

I did do a more 'minimal' makeup look, and it was a lot more natural(ish) than usual. I understand that this may still be a lot of makeup to some, but to me it isn't much at all, and if you look at my previous makeup look posts, I do use a lot more products in those than I have in this one :)

So here is the look :) 

I wore black smart trousers from Peacocks, a black blouse from Dunnes, and a grey blazer from Primark (I think). I got all of the outfit about two years ago, so can not remember the price of the blouse and the blazer, but I do know Peacocks still sell the trousers and they are around £9. 

 On my face I used Benefit's That Gal brightening face primer, which I LOVE and I am seriously considering buying the full sized product once I have the money, I love it that much! I then used Benefit's Porefessional under my eyes and around my nose. 

Then I used Natural Collection's Green Concealer to cover my redness. Then for foundation I used Benefit's Hello Flawless foundation, followed by Maybelline's Fit Me concealer under my eyes and over anymore blemishes that were still peaking through.

I also used Urban Decays All Nighter Setting Spray when I had finished all my makeup to set it all.

 Then on the rest of my face I used MAC's Prep and Prime Transparent finishing powder to set my under eye concealer. I then used Freedom's Bronzer to bronze my face a little, and I used the Freedom Pro Warm Lights contour shade to contour my cheek bones and nose slightly.

Then I used Natural Collection's Blusher in the shade Peach Melba.

 On my brows I used the usual Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil, and Benefit's Gimme Brow. I drew my brows on a LOT thinner and more 'natural' looking today, as bold brows probably would have looked weird with such a minimal makeup look.

On my eyes I used, the usual, MUA Essential Matte's Eyeshadow Palette, using the first shade in the top row all over the lid and to highlight the brow bone and then the last shade, top row, in the crease. As you can probably tell, recently this has been my go to palette for everyday use.

Then I used my fave Primark Lift and Curl mascara on my top lashes only, and Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes eyeliner in the shade                nude, just to brighten my eyes a little.

I hope some of you found this post useful, as, for me anyway, this is a very minimal, everyday kind of look. I literally took me 10 minutes too, if that, so it is great for when you're in a rush.

Just incase you want to know, I actually passed that interview and I am onto the next stage of the interview process, which I have no idea if its the last stage or not, but none the less, I am one step closer to hopefully getting a job. YAY :)

I will hopefully have a super exciting blog post coming on Thursday of me showing you how to achieve this purple 'ombre' eyeshadow look. And it will hopefully be a video of me doing it, if not it will be a step by step guide.

I also have a massive list of other blog posts I want to do soon too, so keep an eye out for plenty more to come :)

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!

Freedom makeup swatches...

Here it is, some swatches from my Freedom makeup haul! I am missing a few items, because they weren't at hand, but most of it is all here, enjoy :)

This is the Pro Melts Lipgloss in the shade just do it, as I said in my haul post, it is a little streaky but if you build it up this reduces.

This is the Pro Lipstick in the shade red wine, it is super pigmented.

This is the Pro Glow in the shade Meow, it is very subtle on my skin tone, but it would still make a gorgeous highlight.

This is the eyeshadow in the shade smoulder 213, this product was already heavily pigmented without the need for layering up the colour.

This is the eyeshadow in the shade gilded 217, a beautiful bronzey gold.

This is the blush in the shade lethal weapon, a super pigmented barbie pink blush.

This is the eyeshadow in the shade brights 227, a light, shimmery purple, absolutely gorgeous centre of the lid colour!

This is the Pro Glow in the shade Purr, this is slightly more pink, I used this as a blush and I loved it!

This is the blush in the shade beyond, a super shimmery pinky orange colour, it would also probably make a nice eyeshadow colour too!

This is the Pro Contour kit in fair, as you can see the highlight is super light, which I love for my pale skin, and the contour (a bit above the highlight) is very subtle, hence why it is perfect again for my pale skin and for an everyday contour.

This is the eyeshadow in the shade gilded 216, a light shimmery pinky shade, again, a perfect centre of the eyelid shade, or even an inner corner highlight shade.

This is the Pro lipstick in the shade Flushed, it is so pigmented and creamy, and just a gorgeous pink shade.

This is the Pro lipstick in the shade sooner or later, which is one of my favourites, a beautiful pinky based nude, I know I will be wearing this a lot!

This is the eyeshadow in the shade brights 228, a beautiful light purple, which took two layers to reach this colour, which is still amazing given the price.

This is the eyeshadow in the shade Brights 230.

This is the lipstick in the shade Far Away, I LOVEEEEE it! This was only about two swipes of the lipstick, it is amazingly pigmented and just a beautiful colour!

Finally, this is the lipstick in the shade Luxe, it is so pigmented and beautiful, I have no idea when I would wear this, but I know I will eventually find an excuse to!

Just a quick little swatch post for you, as it was highly requested on my Instagram.

My next blog post will be about foundation! So keep checking back for that :)

Remember to use the code BEFREETOMAKEUP for 20% off everything at http://freedommakeuplondon.com

<3