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

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 :)

Why am I throwing these make-up products away???

Today’s blog post is about products I am about to throw away, and why I am throwing them away.

I have to really dislike a product to throw it away as usually I would make use of every make-up product I have, even if I disliked it. But clearly these products were just too bad to use, ever!

First up is this MUA blue mascara:

I bought this to use on my lower lashes as I presumed it wouldn’t be good enough for my upper lashes, and I thought it would look nice to use a blue mascara on my lower lashes with some eye looks.

I have used this a couple of times and 1) it is so NOT pigmented; you can hardly see the blue even layering and layering it! And, 2), it is a really really bad mascara, doesn’t lengthen, define, separate, volumise or curl the lashes!

This retailed at £1 when I bought it in one of MUAs sales, so I am so glad I didn’t spend much more than that as it is definitely a disappointing product.

Next up is MUAs lip primer:

Although it probably seems like I am hating on MUA, I actually generally do quite like the brand, it just has a few disappointing products.

But this claims to leave your lips soft and smooth for a flawless lipstick application that lasts longer. WRONG. It is basically Vaseline but not as good. It does not give a flawless base and it actually makes your lipstick last a shorter amount of time than when you do not use it! So it basically does the opposite to what it claims.

This retailed again at around £1 in their sale.

Next is  natural collection’s white eyeliner:

I have used this quite a bit, but I really do not like it so I decided it was time to go.

I bought this to use in my water line to brighten my eyes a bit, but this is sooooooo not pigmented enough for that, nor does it last long enough. It virtually comes off as soon as you blink. It is okay for use as an eyeliner on the lid, but I would never ever use white eyeliner on my eyelid so I have no purpose for this anymore.

This retails at 99p at boots stores.

Next is the pound shops own make-up brand’s concealer stick.

This is one of the most drying, dull and colourless concealer sticks I have ever used. I find most concealer sticks are slightly drying, given the formulation, but this is on another level! Its not nice to apply to the skin and it doesn’t even cover any blemishes, redness or problem areas because it just isn’t pigmented enough.

This retails at £1 (obviously) at the Pound Shop.

Finally is Primark’s own brand PS Love’s liquid lipstick.

I actually bought 4 of these, but my mum is determined to make two of them work out for her so she has them, but these two have to go!

When I saw the words ‘liquid lipstick’ I got super excited and I have to try them. Upon trying them I hated them almost straight away, they have a weird brush applicator that is not nice, and the formulation is so thick and sticky, almost like a super cheap lip gloss, and yes they were pigmented, but they were so sticky they were uncomfortable and they did not last long AT ALL, because they were so sticky and horrible! The colours are okay, but the formula is horrible and they are definitely the worst lip products I have ever, ever tried.

I really did not like any of these products, hence why I don’t have much nice to say. But these products might work for some of you, but they did not work for me and I wanted to share with you my opinions. As like I said at the start, it takes a lot for me to throw make-up away, as usually I would use anything no matter how much I dislike it.

Link for products coming soon, just in case you want them.

Remember to vote in the poll for what YOU want my next post to be.

And I hope you liked this post

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 :)