Metallic Makeup Brushes

It's been a while since I've bought any new makeup brushes, but lately I have had a bit of an influx and I can't lie, these metallic beauties are putting my old, grubby makeup brushes to shame!

Zoeva Rose Golden Complete Eye Set Vol 2 £48.00

The original Zoeva rose gold brush set has been on my wish list for so long, so when my friend Lucy gave me this set at work, I could have kissed her! 

These brushes are BEAUTIFUL and so is the pouch that they come in. In fact that's one of my favourite things about the Zoeva brush sets, the pouch. Its so handy for when you go on holiday. I will no longer have to try and cram my brushes in my makeup bag.

As you can tell I am pretty besotted with these brushes and I think its only a matter of time until I buy the face set! I would say though, if you aren't a regular eyeshadow wearer, you wont ever use half these brushes, so not one for you.

Real Techniques Bold Metal Collection

Being a huge fan of the original Real Techniques brush line, I was really excited to try their new luxe brush range. I went to the launch a few weeks ago and I have to say watching Sam and Nic gave me some serious makeup envy! 

From the launch I got three of the brushes to try

100 Arched Powder Brush £25.00

Large powder brush which is super soft. As lovely as this brush is, I actually gave this to my friend as no powder brush will ever compare to my Suqqu brush and nor should it given the price of that thing!

301 Flat Contour £22.00

Easily the brush I was most excited about out of the three but I have to say I haven't used it yet. I don't contour on a regular basis, who has the time?! But will report back as soon as I have.

200 Oval Shadow £15.00

Surprisingly out of the three this is my favourite and I have been using this loads. This is a large blending eyeshadow brush which makes eyeshadow application a speedy breeze. This also works beautifully with cream shadows as the hairs are synthetic. Well worth the price tag.

Overall I do love these brushes. They look beautiful and are unlike anything else out there. The handles are weighted and you can feel a difference in quality between these and the original line. I have since purchased one more brush, the tapered blush brush because I am a sucker for that classic blusher brush shape! 

Sigma E25 Blending Brushes £15.95

I mentioned my love for these eyeshadow brushes in my January favourites. I always use a fluffy blending brush to apply my eyeshadow and I really wanted to get a couple more, as mine get so dirty and I change my eyeshadow colours all the time. I really don't rate Sigma face brushes at all (stick with Real Techniques) but their eye brushes are good and you would be hard pressed to tell these and MAC brushes apart.

Face of the Day with Lorac Pro Palette

One of the things I love about having this blog, is that I can use it like my own personal makeup diary. If I'm stuck for inspiration or trying to remember what products I have loved and forgotten, I can scroll back through here and the memories come flooding back. That's one of the reasons I also love 

Face of the Day posts. I change my makeup so often that I forget some of the looks that I've done, that I love. 

This is the makeup I wore when I went on a night out last week and I was so chuffed with it, that I did it again the next day to post on here! 

Face

Primer

Rachel K Original CC Cream

This CC cream makes such a good primer because its smoothing without having that horrible silicone slip. 

Foundation 

MAC Studio Fix mixed with NARS Illuminator in Copacabana

I have been using this foundation combination for the past month and whilst I've actually had a few compliments on my skin, I can't wait until I've finished up Studio  Fix and can use something a bit lighter. Studio Fix does give you flawless skin but its heavy and I just want to use something fresher. 

Corrector and Concealer

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

I am still using and loving my Bobbi Brown corrector but I am now onto a different concealer, as I finished both the Collection one and the Dior BB eye creme. I've had the MAC Pro Longwear concealer a while, so figured it should be next on my list to finish. This really is a very good concealer, it covers everything without looking cakey or heavy and I can use it under my eyes, as well as on the rest of my skin. I can see why this is raved about so much. 

Powder and Contour

Anastasia Contour Kit

I only tend to use this if I'm doing my makeup for a night out, or for 'special occasions' but whenever I do use it, I absolutely love it. Contouring and highlighting really can do amazing things for your face, but its not something I would want to do on a daily basis.

Blush

MAC Peaches

One of my all time favourite blushes and a MAC classic. Peaches is a matte peachy pink, its bright without being overpowering. 

Eyes

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and L'oreal Brow Artist Plumper

The usual!

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

The best eyeshadow primer, plus a tube of this lasts forever!

Eyeshadow

'Cream' and 'Taupe' from the Lorac Pro Palette

I have been reaching for my Lorac palette quite a bit recently. I think its because I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos with people who are taking part in the 'Pan that Palette' challenge and the majority of them are trying to completely finish this palette by the end of the year. While I don't know if I'm quite ready to commit to the challenge, especially when I'm trying to use up so much other makeup, I am enjoying using it. For this look I used two of the matte shadows from the palette, Cream and Taupe.

Eyeliner

MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy

Fun fact, Teddy and Prunella are my two all time favourite eyeliners and they are both from MAC. Teddy is a bronzy brown which is so much more flattering than black on the eyes. I apply this on the outer corners and smudge out with my finger.

Mascara

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

I was going to wear false eyelashes but as I ran out of time I opted for my beloved Tarte mascara. It gives so much volume, you don't need falsies.

Lips

Lipstick

Buxom True Nude Lip Foundation in 'Au Naturel'

If you are a fan of MAC matte lipsticks, Velvet Teddy, Kinda Sexy, Honeylove etc then you will love these Lip Foundations by Buxom. They don't dry your lips out and I only had to reapply once throughout the night. I have the shade 'Au Naturel' but these Lip Foundations are at the top of my list to try when I get to a Sephora later in the year.

MAC Cinderella Collection Review

Whenever my two greatest loves, MAC and Disney collaborate, I get ridiculously excited. I also get incredibly anxious, because I know the collection will sell out and I will spend the entire week before the release, refreshing the MAC homepage on an hourly basis.

Well not this time! I was lucky enough to get a few bits from the collection through my work (best.day.ever!)

I love the packaging, iridescent baby blue (yaaaaaaaas), but I do feel that MAC have been half arsing their Disney collections of late. Maleficent and Cinderella could have been huge and MAC could have really gone to town with them, but both collections feel quite reserved. 

Maybe that's just me missing those collections of yonder years, Heatherette, Dame Edna, Hello Kitty, Venomous Villains! 

From left to right: Vapour, Phloof!, Omega, Quarry, Satin Taupe and Stroke of Midnight

Stroke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette

The star product of the collection is definitely this cool toned eyeshadow palette. All the shadows are creamy, richly pigmented and very versatile. The one downside is that all these shadows are permanent, except for Stroke of Midnight. If you are a MAC eyeshadow hoarder you probably already own most of these shades so skip it, if you don't, this would be my recommendation from the collection.

Iridescent Pressed Powder in Coupe D'Chic

This is a peachy toned, SUPER glittery highlight. When I first applied this I got a bit carried away and it looked like my cheeks were sweating glitter! A light hand is a must with this.

Personally I prefer a more refined highlight, something a bit more subtle but this is very pretty. If you wanted to buy something purely for the packaging alone, I would pick this over the beauty powder, as who even knows what MAC beauty powders are for!

Free as a Butterfly Lipstick and Happily Ever After Lipglass

The lip products in the collection are very nude and pearlescent, you have been warned! I find that the lipstick and gloss together are a bit too nude for me, although looking at these pictures I actually quite like how they look. I think if we weren't in the depths of Winter and I wasn't so pale these would look a lot better on me, but I have found a lipstick combination with this which I love. 

I have been using Bad Girl RiRi (sorry limited edition as well!) all over my lips with Free as a Butterfly in the centre to highlight and I love how much fuller it makes my lips look.

The gloss is glittery but pretty sheer, so none offensive and could be layered over the top of any lipstick, definitely not a must have from the collection.

Wearing the entire collection on my face!

Overall, I'm probably more excited by the packaging than the actual products, but isn't that always the way with limited edition MAC collections?! If you only buy one thing, I would suggest the eyeshadow palette but just make sure you check your collection first, in case you already own some of the shades.

MAC Cinderella launches in the UK in March

Too Faced Soul Mates Blushing Bronzer in 'Ross and Rachel'

I originally meant to put this review up yesterday on Valentines Day, but ended up going to the pub and rolling home with a Subway in the early hours. 

Valentines Day done right!

I don't care if they are gimmicky, I LOVE these Too Faced bronzers. 

When I first heard about these I was so excited because a) although I pretend I am a massive cynic, really I am a soppy romantic at heart (don't tell anyone!) and b) Too Faced are known for their bronzers, they don't disappoint!

Soul Mates are available in two shades, "Carrie and Big" which is a light to medium bronzer with a coral blush and "Ross and Rachel" which is a medium to dark bronzer with a bright pink blush. 

I have the shade "Ross and Rachel"........"We were on a break", "I got off the plane" etc etc ;)

The one thing that did surprise me about this bronzer was the size, its massive, think palm of hand size! 

 The way I like to use this is by swirling both the bronzer and the blusher together with my Bobbi Brown bronzer brush. I love the warm flush this gives my cheeks, it definitely gives that healthy glow and you get your bronzer, blusher and highlight all in one. 

I was lucky enough to get this as a freebie from work but I would most definitely have splashed the cash for this and I may just have to buy the Carrie and Big shade as well!

Too Faced Soul Mates Blushing Bronzers are limited edition (sob) and available from Debenhams for £28.00

Benefit Roller Lash

I am not a massive Benefit fan but I do absolutely love their 'They're Real' mascara. When I heard they were releasing a new mascara, Roller Lash I knew I had to try it.

Roller Lash is designed to give your lashes more of a curl and lift, giving you that doe eyed effect. It has a slightly curved plastic bristle brush which is great for lengthening and separation.

I loved this mascara from the very first application. I really do notice more of a curl to my lashes and I like the length and separation it gives. Its a very clean mascara and does a great job of making your lashes look longer without looking like you are wearing a shit ton of mascara. I also love that it doesn't clump at all!

I will say that you need to build up a few coats of this mascara to see the full effect, but that's easily done. This wears well on my lashes and doesn't flake, but it did slightly smudge on my bottom lashes after a full days wear.

This is a winner for me and I will definitely be buying the full size version, however two of my friends have tried this and didn't like it :( It definitely seems to be a love it or hate it mascara, but as you can get the sample size with this months Elle magazine, you can test it out before splashing the cash.

Available from Benefit £19.50

Face of the Day with Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in Taupe

As you know I'm currently on mission to use up my makeup, particularly some of the older products that I've had for a while, that I'm not overly fussed about. I'm still really enjoying my challenge at the moment, although there are a few products which I wish would just hurry up and finish. 

You might recognise a few of these products, definitely a few throwbacks in here! 

Face

Primer

Rachel K Original CC Cream 'Fair'

I discovered this a few years ago through LisalisaD1 on YouTube. I love her and could sit and listen to her accent all day! I wouldn't wear this CC cream on its own but it makes the best primer. 

I hate any silicone primers, as I feel like my makeup slips right off. I love the Rachel K because its smoothing without any of that slip. The whitening benefits also mean that it takes out any redness in your skin prior to foundation and concealer, so you use less product. 

I really do enjoy this but its difficult to get in the UK. I think I bought mine from eBay a while ago but Rachel K's website does offer worldwide shipping.

Foundation

MAC Studio Fix mixed with NARS Illuminator in 'Copacabana'

I have had this foundation sitting in my makeup drawer for years! Studio Fix is really not my kind of foundation, don't get me wrong I get why people love it. Its full coverage, lasts all day and you don't really need to powder, but for me its just too much, plus it smells like paint, to be honest it probably is paint! Anyway I need to use this up and like I said, its not bad, its just not my favourite. 

I have been mixing it with the NARS Illuminator to try and make it a bit lighter and give it more of a glow. It does cover everything though, I'm worried that if I use it for too long I will be converted! 

Corrector and Concealer

Bobbi Brown Corrector in 'Light Bisque' and Dior Hydra Life BB Eye Creme

If you suffer from bad under eye circles, you need to try one of Bobbi Brown's Correctors, the difference is amazing. This Dior BB Eye Creme on the other hand is really nothing special. I didn't like this when it launched a few years ago, but as I'm trying to be good I thought it was finally time I used this up. Really would not recommend, far better under eye concealers out there and for a lot cheaper.

Bronzer

MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell

The never ending bronzer, I like it but after 6+ months I'm ready to use something else!

Blush

Luna Twilight Bella Palette

Now this is a blast from the past, I don't think you can even buy these anymore. 

So, out of the Twilight Saga, New Moon was by far my favourite. I was obsessed with that film and no, sadly I wasn't 14 when it came out! Lets just say I could relate to Bella, except I didn't have a hunky werewolf to fix up motorbikes with. ANYWAY, I loved her makeup and hair in New Moon. You know I'm a sucker for a warm toned neutral and that film was all about the warm toned neutrals! To cut a long story short, these makeup palettes were released, with a palette for each character and of course I bought Bella's. All jokes aside, this is probably the most wearable makeup palette I have ever owned, as you can tell from how much I've used!

Powder

MAC Prep & Prime CC Compact

The never ending bronzer, meet the never ending powder! I can't wait till I finally finish these two and can use something else.

Eyes

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in 'Soft Brunette' and L'oreal Brow Artist Plumper in 'Dark Brunette'

My ride or die brow duo.

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

Like my brow duo, this doesn't change! 

Eyeshadow 

Bobbi Brow Sparkle Eyeshadow in 'Taupe'

I have become a bit obsessed with these Bobbi Brown sparkle shadows. They are so glittery but not in an obnoxious, I'm 5 and having a Frozen themed birthday party kinda way. Its adult appropriate glitter, that actually looks glossy on the lids. I have noticed that I always get a compliment on my eyeshadow whenever I wear one of these, but make sure you use a good eyeshadow primer because you will end up with glitter all over your face otherwise.

Mascara

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

I haven't used anything but this mascara combination in the longest time, but I have finally found a new mascara which I like (will put up a post this week). 

This Tarte mascara gives such amazing volume and it does not budge, in fact its kind of hard to get off at the end of the day and the Clinique Bottom Lash mascara was a revelation for me, no going back!

Lips

Lipstick

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 'Boy'

I mentioned this lipstick in my January favourites and I actually finished it today (woop, woop, 3rd lipstick down!) While I did really like this lipstick, I doubt I would purchase it again, just because it wasn't anything overly special. 

Now to decide what lipstick to use up next!