Showing posts with label soap&glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soap&glory. Show all posts

Friday, 7 August 2015

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

Sunday, 2 August 2015

Makeup Look using some of my Beauty Crowd products...

Okay, so I wanted to do a review blog post today about something I bought recently, but something came up and it means I haven't had the chance to take photos of the product and swatches :( so I will put up that blog post tomorrow. But as I really wanted to have a blog post up today for you all I will post about the products I used for this look:










For foundation I used the sample of the Bell foundation I got from Beauty Crowd. As mentioned in my previous post, I liked this foundation but it didn't wow me enough to go and buy the full sized product. It was very VERY thick, and sort of just sat on my face and felt cakey rather than being comfortable to wear. It was medium to full coverage though which, as you might know, I like. But other than that it wasn't that amazing.









As for primer I used my favourite, L'Oreal Nude Magique Blur Cream. Followed by the natural collection green concealer on any red areas. Then I used the LA Girl Pro Concealer, which I LOVE! I definitely think it's a close dupe for Benefit's Erase Paste, in terms of thickness and coverage. I then set the concealer with my usual, MAC's Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder.

 For bronzer I used Freedom's Bronzer in the shade 110, which again, I love! I contoured my face using the Freedom Pro Contour Kit in fair. I then used my natural collection blusher in Peach Melba. I then used the Milani Highlighting Powder.
 On my eyes I used various pinky and purpley shades from the LA Girl Ultra Palette, but first I primed by eyes with the lightest, almost white, shade from the Freedom Concealer palette! It really is amazing for that! I then used the Freedom liquid liner, which I thought was really nice, it is great if you want to create a really nice thin line! As the brush is so precise and thin. Then I also used the Milani Total Lash Cover Mascara (not pictured), which, again, is amazing! I also lined my lower lash line and water line with my HelenE black eyeliner. I then filled in my brows with the usual, Soap and Glory Archery and Benefit's Gimme Brow.
On the lips, I used MAC's Twig lipstick. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this lipstick.


















Overall, I liked most of the products I used, but I wasn't too sure that I liked the way this look.
Did you like this look? Let me know :)

I will hopefully have the review post up tomorrow, but if you follow me on Instagram then you probably already know what I will be talking about.
And if you don't follow me on there then go follow me, my username is oxmakeupaddict
:)

Monday, 13 July 2015

My top 5 affordable/drugstore lipsticks...

Okay, admittedly this is probably going to be one of my favourite blog posts as it is about lipstick, but I also have to admit that picking just 5 of my favourite drugstore lipsticks was a lot harder than I thought it would be! But, obviously, I managed in the end :)

First of all,
Revlon Colour Burst Matte Balm
Shade: Shameless

swatch: no flash

swatch: with flash
This lipstick is AMAZING, you do not need to keep reapplying to get a good pigmentation of colour on the lips, it is already super pigmented! It also has a nice mint smell to it, which although is sort of irrelevant to how the lipstick performs, it is still a nice touch. I like applying this with and without a brush.
It is a matte lipstick too, but it does not dry the lips at all, unlike some matte lipsticks. It also lasts most of the day without urgent need for reapplying.
It is also super cheap consider the quality too, it retails at £7.99, but Boots currently have a 3 for 2 offer on Revlon too! 
http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-ColorBurst-Matte-Lip-Balm_1416281/

MUA cosmetics matte lipstick
Shade: peachy keen

swatch: no flash

swatch: with flash
This is MUA cosmetic's matte lipstick in the shade Peachy Keen. It is slight drying, being a matte lipstick, but with a tiny bit of vaseline on the lips underneath it is perfect!
It is the perfect spring/summer shade, and a perfect colour for in the day.
This lipstick doesn't last as long as some more expensive drugstore lipsticks, but I still only need to reapply once or twice throughout the day, it also needs a little layer to build up a nice pigmented colour on the lips, and given the price I don't even mind that!
MUA is definitely one of my all time favourite brands because they offer (mostly) amazing quality products at such a small price.
This lipstick retails at just £1!! Yes, that is not a typo, it really is just £1. It is definitely worth more than £1 and has always and will always been a firm favourite of mine, regardless of it's price.


Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker
Shade: Blush Pink

swatch: no flash

swatch: with flash
This is the only Soap & Glory lipstick I own, unfortunately :(. But I wear it A LOT!
It is a gorgeous matte pinky nude colour, that is very wearable day or night, and it lasts all day!
The packaging is also cute, but the smell of this lipstick is to die for! It has this gorgeous vanilla smell, which makes it so much nicer to wear because I could just sit and smell this lipstick all day, it seriously does smell so good, haha!
It is supposed to be one of their plumping lipsticks too, although I do not think it makes my lips appear bigger, but this doesn't bother me.
This lipstick is also super pigmented so no need to layer up the colour to get it too look nice.
This lipstick retails at£9, but again Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on Soap & Glory cosmetics at the moment too!



Makeup Revolution Atomic Lipstick
Shade: Make it Right

swatch: no flash

swatch: with flash
This is my all time favourite Makeup Revolution lipstick! I love the vast majority of their lipsticks, as I own almost all of them, but this stands out from them all! Not only because of its bright colour but mainly because of it's amazing pigmentation and longevity!
This is the most gorgeous purple shade with a very very slight shimmer to it! It is the perfect autumn/winter shade, but I still wear it in the summer too!
It lasts all day, you might only need to reapply once, if that! It doesn't dry out the lips either. This is probably my absolute favourite lipstick, if I had to only pick one! It is one of my most worn lipsticks, and I would wear it day and night, but it is probably more suited for use for a night out as it is such a bold colour.
This lipstick retails at £1, and yes, again, no type, it is just £1!!




L'oreal Colour Riche Lipstick
Shade: JLo's red

swatch: no flash

swatch: with flash
Last, but at no means least, is L'oreal's Colour Riche lipstick in the shade JLo's red.
OMG this the most gorgeous red lipstick! And what is a lipstick favourites post without a red?!
This lipstick too is amazingly pigmented, and does last all day!
When I wear this lipstick I always feel more confident, because it's such a gorgeous red, and it looks flawless on the lips, no streaks, just a gorgeous pigmented red!
And the packaging is also beautiful, yes we don't actually need amazing packaging, we only use the lipstick after all, but it sure does look nice on my desk! I actually prefer this packaging to MAC!
I absolutely love L'oreal makeup as a whole because all of it's makeup they offer are of outstanding quality!
This lipstick retails at £6.99, which for this quality and pigmentation and, basically, perfection is just amazing! Superdrug also have a buy one get one half price offer too.

I hope you liked this post, these are truly my 5 favourite affordable lipsticks!
Next in my top 5 series I will be doing a post on my top 5 foundations, featuring L'oreal and Maxfactor, so look out for that!

Remember to vote in the poll guys! If you are viewing on a mobile device you will need to view the desktop/web version to see it :)