Beauty, home wear, shoes and clothing haul...

Hey guys! I have been shopping... again! This time it was to get some clothes for my new job, as, being an office job, I didn't actually have any appropriate clothes to wear. But obviously, I got more than just work clothes, because that would be boring right? haha!

Firstly I got the most AMAZING Harry Potter PJs! 

 These PJs were from Primark, the top was around £5, the bottoms were £8 and the slippers/socks were around £4. They are SO COMFY! I literally want to live in them, all day everyday, they are so comfy and so amazing! 

I also got some simple grey and black dolly shoes for work.

They were a bargain at £5 a pair, from Primark! And they are really comfy too! I especially love the black ones with the gold detail at the front.

I also got some of Primark's slim fit smart trousers, in black and grey.

These were also a bargain at £5 each! They fit PERFECTLY, they offer a choice of leg lengths that I wouldn't have expected as they were so cheap, and they look so much nicer on than normal baggy smart trousers. 

The last items of work clothing I got were these two baggy(ish) shirts, one in grey and one in a pale pink.

They are super creased, I know! I have now learned that they crease very easily, so I don't know how well that will go down when it comes to wearing them for work. But they are very comfortable, and look really nice on. They were £9 each, which for Primark is sort of expensive, but they are still cheap in comparison to most shops.

I also got the most gorgeous large grey throw from Primark too! It was meant to be £10 but they were on offer at £7.90.

It is the softest throw/blanket ever, and it HUGE! Definitely big enough for my double bed. 

Next, is a boring buy but I needed a laundry basket, and this one matches my bedding perfectly so I had to have it.

This is just one of those pop up fabric laundry baskets, and it is a black and dark grey stripy pattern and matches my bedding 100%. It isn't too big either, so it doesn't look ugly in my room. This was also from Primark and it was £2.70.

I also saw these super cute coasters in Primark too!

I needed some coasters for my bedroom, as it was annoying me when I had a drink in my room I'd put in on my table or desk and it would leave a mark so I'd have to clean it every time. These are so cute, and they were only £2 for a pack of 4 coasters. You can't go wrong with that.

Another boring one, big hair clips.

I got these clips from Primark for when I straighten my hair and I section off my hair, or when I am doing my makeup and I want to move the hair out of my face. These were £1.50 for a pack of 8.

I also got some face wipes from Primark too.

These are so cheap at £1 for a twin pack, and I always need to have plenty of wipes, as I go through them so quickly! I love Primark's face wipes.

Then, from Boots I got some Micellar water, as I literally go through this stuff so quickly! 

These were on offer too, half price, and were around £2.29 each. I wouldn't pay much more than that for Micellar water as I get through it so quickly, which is annoying. But these bottles are quite big so hopefully they won't run out as quickly as others do.

Another buy from Primark were these weird looking hair bobbles.

I got these thinking they were those bobbles that don't leave kinks in your hair, and I have had my hair in one of these bobbles all day and so far I have NO KINKS! Yay! 

Then, omg, I walk past Debenhams and I saw a sign for Makeup Forever, and I had to go straight in!

I have never owned anything from Makeup Forever, and I wanted to buy the Ultra HD Foundation, but I do not need to own any more foundation right now! So I opted for buying this Smoothing primer, as Nicole Guerriero uses it all the time, soooooo I guess I needed it too! Haha. It was £24, and I would never usually pay that much for a primer, but I guess my brain switched off for those 10 minutes I was in the store, as I was in makeup heaven.

Then I told myself that I'd spent and bought enough, and me and my friend went to MAC! I couldn't walk out empty handed could I?!  

I got the Pro Longwear concealer in the shade NW15, which is so light and brightening and perfect for my under eyes! I already love it! It was £17.50 and so worth it! 

Lets forget about MAC for a little while, and go back to another buy from Boots. I am yet to find the perfect pressed powder, to set me entire face with, so I got this Revlon Nearly Naked powder.

I have used this once and I am still not sure if it is the perfect one, but I will give it a chance. It was £9.99.

Okay, yes I bought a second thing from MAC, oh no.

I bought the Stone lipstick! OMG, it is GORGEOUS! I am in love love love with it. I am so glad I finally own it. It was £15.50.

So there it is guys, I bought a lot, and now I am skint until I eventually get paid at work! I haven't even started yet so I have no idea when I will get paid, so until then I literally have no money to buy anything :( but this shopping trip was amazing! 

Thanks for reading everyone,

Love, Abbie <3

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

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 :)

Top 5 foundations... And my favourite brushes to apply them with...

Today I will be talking about foundation.

Now, for me, when it comes to foundation, I prefer full coverage, something that will make my skin look as flawless as possible. I hate light coverage foundations, probably because I have so many blemishes, redness and uneven skin tone that I want to cover, so light coverage foundations do not work well for me.

As well as my top 5 foundations I have also included my top 3 brushes for applying foundation, as it really makes a difference to how it looks depending on how you apply it, and I am personally not a fan of using my fingers to apply foundation.

Firstly I will talk about the most expensive one, Smashbox Studio Skin foundation which retails at £29.
It is a lot of money, and I wouldn't usually spend so much on a foundation, I actually got this for free when Smashbox was doing one of their events in which the first 20 customers at certain Boots stores across the UK got a certain free product.
But this foundation, I would say, is worth the money, it is a full coverage foundation, yes it is quite thick and I did think it felt a little cakey on the skin at first, but I think it was more due to my application than the foundation itself. It is very long lasting, and gives you a flawless complexion. Overall though, this would probably be more suited for evening wear, or special occasion wear, even though I do wear this in the day because I like full coverage, it could be too much for some people to be an everyday kind of foundation.
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/Smashbox-Studio-Skin-15-Hour-Wear-Hydrating-Foundation_1272577/

Next, is Max Factors Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion foundation, retailing at £12.99.
I won't say too much about this product, as I have spoke about it in my Current Favourites post, but generally this foundation is so nice.
I didn't mention it in my previous post, but it feels so hydrating on the skin, probably due to the 'liquid illusion' so it feels lovely, and not at all cakey.
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/Max-Factor-Miracle-Touch-Foundation_125268/

Next, Max Factors Lasting Performance foundation, which retails at £9.99.
For £9.99 this foundation is a steal, it really does feel like a more expensive foundation. It is a full coverage foundation that lasts all day! It is probably very comparable to the Smashbox Studio Skin actually. Yes the packaging isn't too great, but the product is what we use at the end of the day!
It does feel a little cakey sometimes, but as long as you buff it into the skin really well, it shouldn't be a problem.
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/Max-Factor-Lasting-Performance-Foundation_5882/

Next, is L'oreal True Match foundation, which retails at £9.99.
This will probably be no surprise to some of you, as it seems all bloggers and you tubers love this foundation, well the vast majority anyway, and that is because it is actually an amazing foundation. It is a build able coverage but even with one layer it still covers a lot of imperfections. It feels light on the skin, and the shade range is incredible! It blends into the skin perfectly also! Whenever anyone asks me what foundation I'd recommend I always say L'oreal true match instantly! It's a no brainer really!
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-True-Match-Foundation_16049/

Finally, is the L'oreal Infallible 24hour Matte foundation, which retails at £7.99!!
Again, this will probably be no surprise, as everyone seems to raving about this foundation really, but I really do love it!
It is one of my most reached for foundations, it lasts all day, as you'd expect from the name, and it makes your skin look flawless, I always love my makeup when I use this product. It doesn't feel cakey on the skin, it isn't too thick or too thin, the packing despite being slightly basic, is still nice, and it blends really nicely.
It also, being matte, doesn't need setting with a powder, unlike the other 4 foundations I have spoke about, which I like, because despite the fact I usually always set my foundation, it is nice to know that with this one I don't have to! As in the summer months I don't always want to set my foundation.
It really is worth so much more than £7.99, so given the price and the performance of the foundation this would probably be my all time favourite! As it is cheaper than the True Match foundation.
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-Infallible-Matte-Foundation_1655157/

Next, the makeup brushes, like I said, I don't like applying foundation with my fingers, so I always use a brush! I also don't like applying foundation with a beauty blender either, and tend to stick to applying concealer with that, but that's probably for another blog post, haha.

The first brush I love applying foundation with is the Real Techniques Bold Metals Triangle Foundation brush. retailing at £22.
The brush itself is beautiful, and the shape of the brush is so unique, which made me want it so badly, but the triangle shape really does offer more than the fact it makes it looks nice. Being triangle in shape means you can use the same brush to get into each little bit of the face like around the eyes, nose and mouth. It is a weighted brush too so it is lovely to use.
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/Bold-Metals-Collection-by-Real-Techniques-101-Triangle-Foundation_1645013/

Another, more affordable brush I love though is the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, which retails at £9.99.
This brush is super dense, so applies foundation flawlessly, and doesn't product brush stroke marks in the foundation as you apply it. It really buffs the product into the skin too which makes it blend into the skin more seamlessly, and makes it feel less cakey and more natural. The only thing I dislike about this brush is how hard it is to clean, the product gets right inside the brush, no matter how often you wash it, which makes washing really difficult given how dense the brush it. I use this brush less often now because of how hard it is to wash, which is a shame because it gives a lovely finish.
You can buy it here:
http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques-Expert-Face-Brush_1277695/

Finally, probably my favourite brush, is Primark's own brand, PS Love's Stippling Brush, retailing at around £1.50!
It is just a small stippling brush, but I like this as you can reach every little bit of the face, that might be more difficult with big brushes. I find that when applying foundation with this and dotting it on the face then blending it into the skin in circular motions leaves an airbrushed like finish. I really didn't expect to love this brush so much, but it is one of the best brushes I have ever bought, and next time I have the money and I am near a Primark I will be stocking up on these brushes because I love them! I highly recommend this brush!

I hope this post was useful for some of you, and let me know what you thought :)

Tomorrow I will be doing a makeup look inspired by my favourite youtuber, and if all goes well I will doing a blog post about it tomorrow, or Thursday :)