Showing posts with label tutorials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutorials. Show all posts
The glamour of the 50's pin up girl has created an iconic, timeless look that never dates. It's irreverant, deeply glamourous, and sensual - with a giggle in its voice and a wiggle in it's walk.
It also celebrates femininity as a construct - waist-whittlers, make-up, hairstyles. The semiotics and signifiers of 'woman', which makes it lots of fun to play around with.
Perhaps that's why so many of us are still so interested in vintage pin-up girl looks and how to get them?
If I have one makeup weakness, its definitely lashes. I love them beyond all reason. I honestly think I’d rather have a moustache than have no eyelashes, if such a Faustian pact had to be made.
As such, I’d call myself something of a false lash connoisseur.
I must have tried hundreds of brands, and as a result I definitely know what works and what doesn’t. I even went through a phase of wearing strip lashes Every. Single. Day (still would if I had a little more time in the mornings).
But my quest for the perfect, natural-but-full, Disney Princess style falsies was never really over – until I was introduced to the beauty of Esqido.
If there’s one beauty concept that feels so right for now, its mixed metals.
The contrast of silver, copper and gold makes the most of the hazy autumn light, looks beautiful against post-summer, fading tan skin and looks modern and right for now.
I really wanted to try a new look using some of the mixed metal shades I'd seen on the catwalk.
Super excited to be bringing to you today my second collaboration post with two of my best blogging friends and all-round lovely ladies, Sonya of OnceUponAGlam and Kerry of KerryJustBeauty.
Last time, we did a post on three ways to wear magenta lips, which you can see here, but this time….we’re all getting naked. Come on, you know you want to see that…right?
Well, before you start panicking and running for the hills, we’re actually talking about the famous and much loved Urban Decay Naked palettes, all three of them! We’ll each be doing a tutorial look featuring one of the palettes.
Whatever I might feel about her as a person, I've always been pretty interested in Kim Kardashian's beauty regime, and I may or may not have secret Pinterest board dedicated to her make-up looks (I'm admitting to nothing).
But lately, it feels like all the buzz has been about her two younger half-sisters, Kendall and Kylie (kringe).
Kendall, the older one, is the one that immeadiately catches the eye - she's a tall, stunning model now making serious headway on the couture catwalks, and Kylie is the shorter, less striking sister who seems to get forgotten about.
However, Kylie has lately found a sort of grungy style that's the complete opposite from the known Kardashian fashion voacbularly, and I'll admit I've started to notice it.
Lately, she's caught a few headlines because of the change in her lips. Overnight, she seems to have developed a beestung pout that has some people pointing in injectables.
Today’s post will be on how to get a popping, 3D ombre pout.
This lip look is a total stand out, ideal for autumn parties and occaisions when you want all eyes to be on you and what you’re saying.
The best part is that its really easy to achieve. In fact, you can get there in just 6 short steps…
Other girls who share my total addiction to all things beauty and can spend hours debating the merits of a palette or comparing lipgloss shades!
Two of my favourite bloggers, Sonya from Once Upon A Glam and Kerry from KerryJustBeauty helped me out with some advice recently.
We got talking on Twitter about what to pair magenta lipstick with - and we decided that each of us would do a neon pink lip look, styled up our own way and post the results.
So, here is my post - you can read Kerry's here and Sonya's here.
I decided to go for a nude cat eye and dewy skin to bring out the fun, youthful vibe of a bright magenta lip.
So, here is my post - you can read Kerry's here and Sonya's here.
I decided to go for a nude cat eye and dewy skin to bring out the fun, youthful vibe of a bright magenta lip.
Hello my lovelies!
A really quick post on my weekend Face of the Day. It's all sunshine and showers outside at the moment, but I decided to bring the spring with some fresh pinks for cheeks and lips.
A little bit of a break from the usual today, I’m going to be doing a post about the act of blogging itself, rather than products. This could be the start of a little series if people are interested, because when you’re just starting out there are so many questions you have about building a blog, marketing it, writing and scheduling etc. I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve found some great tips out there to share about all of the above.
Today’s post is going to deal with photography. Mainly because this is the part of blogging I like the least! I began blogging because I love to write. But because this is a beauty blog, pictures are crucial. Although I’m not into photography, and I don’t know a lot about it, of course I appreciate the role that beautiful images have to play, and I’ve been aware for a long time that my pictures are a big thing holding my blog back.
Blue make-up scares so many people. I think it reminds us all collectively - either through memories, or for 90s kids like me, pop culture references- of 80's styling matched with crimped locks and frosted pink lipstick.
But blue can actutally be such a gorgeous colour to play with, so don't make it the one shade you never touch in the palette!
Worn as just a hint, blue can be a strong look that's modern and fresh. And it suits everyone - whether you have blue eyes or as a popping contrast to darker gazes. In fact, using blue eye make-up has become one of my staples lately.
It's such a fresh, youthful look and it works for any season - paired with a bronze glow in summer, or dramatic berry lips in winter.
Here's the kit I used to get my blaze of blue:
MUA Undress Me Too palette
Sleek i-Divine 'Storm' palette
Astor Eye Artist in 'Just a Crush '
Chanel Les 4 Ombres in '77 Influences'
Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner
Avon Glimmerstick Chromes in 'Night Star'
Mac In Extreme Dimension mascara
Now for the step by step :
Step One
Blend a neutral, flesh coloured shade with a hint of shimmer over the lid and up to the browbone using a fluffy shadow brush. I used the shade 'Shy' from the MUA Undress Me Too palette.
Step Two
Next, with a flat shadow brush, pick up some grey-blue metallic shadow. I'm using a shade from the Sleek I-Divine palette in 'Storm '- the shades aren't individually named, but it's one of the two blue-toned shades. Blend this through the outer corner and crease to act as a 'bridging' shade.
Step Three
Using a slanted brush, pick up some of the darker, midnight blue metallic shade from the Sleek I-Divine Storm palette. Push it along the lash line to define your eyes and shade some into the outer corners. Isn't this the most gorgeous colour?
Step Four
Take a dark blue eyeliner and work it under the lower lashline and on the outer corner of the top lashline. I used an Avon Glimmerstick Chromes in Night Sky. I love these eyeliners. They're totally inexpensive, creamy and blendable and come in loads of great shades. Enough to make me want to hunt down a new Avon lady.
Step Five
Using a fine eyeliner brush, take a shot of a bright blue shade and run it under the lower lashline for an extra amp of colour. I used this fabulous peacock blue shade from the Astor Eye Artist Duo in 'Just a Crush'.
To bring out the blue even more, I added a pop of white pearl to the inner corners using my little finger- this was the white shade from the Chanel Les 4 Ombres quad in 'Influences'.
Then a very small amount of black liquid liner- this time I used Eyeko Skinny Mini Eyeliner and lashings of black mascara- Mac In Extreme Dimension.
And the finished look is true blue:
Keep the rest of your face fairly neutral with matte skin, a hint of bronzer and nude lips and let that blue pop!
Could you do your entire face of make-up with just five products? After seeing this post on thebeautyisle.com, I was inspired to have a go!Let’s start by saying I do not have the ‘less is more’ gene, just like I don’t have ‘packing light’ one.
Excess is practically my M.O. So this one is a genuine challenge for me. I use an average of 17 (count ‘em) make-up products to get ready on an average day (what are they? Find out on my ‘Daily Go To Face’ post). That sounds like a lot, because it is.
But is more always better? I’m not so sure. It’s certainly more expensive! Using just five products was a tough one. I tried to find stuff that would multi-task, which I enjoyed because I’m very keen on stuff that has multiple uses in general.
What did I use?
1. Bare Minerals Original in ‘Medium’
Base is one of those things that’s non-negotiable if you have less than perfect skin, like me. Normally, I add on a primer and a BB cream, but do I really need them? I chose the Bare Minerals base because its one of the best multi-taskers. You can build it up from sheer to opaque easily and it can also double as a concealer by using a thicker layer in areas that need extra coverage. This works well - I blended all over the face with a stippling brush in circular motions and then went back into problem areas with a concealer brush and a dotting motion.
2. Revlon Five Star Eye Mousse in ‘Apricot Chiffon’
This product always comes on holiday with me because its great for use on eyes or as a bronzer. It’s a cream eyeshadow and great quality, so I dabbed some on my lids and then also used to sculpt my cheeks a bit seeing as bronzer was out of the question!
3. Mac Fluidline in ‘Dipdown’
It came down to a hard choice between eyeliner and mascara with only five products to choose from, and I went for the liner! I thought this brown shade would look less harsh with bare lashes. The cream formula means you could probably use it to tint your lashes in an extreme situation. In my case, my lashes are already dark and fairly long, so all I really want is more of them and an appearance of thickness. I reasoned that tightlining and using a slated brush to push the colour into the roots of lashes gives the same effect.
4. Mac Shadow in ‘Charcoal Brown’
Definitely can’t skimp
on the brows! I can’t believe I never used to fill my brows in until a
few years ago and now it’s the thing I can’t do without. It just makes
such a difference to your whole face, especially if, like me, your brows
are patchy and not a great shape on their own. I fill them in using a
soft powder shadow anyway, so this was a double win as I could then use
that colour in the crease of my eyes as well. I got a rather strange
‘chocolate peach’ look going on with the Revlon cream shadow and this,
but it worked alright.
5. No7 Pop & Glow in ‘Mango Sorbet’
Continuing with the peach theme, I decided to use my newly-purchase favourite blush stick to add a healthy flush of colour to the cheeks. I also used it on my lips for a double hit. However, I have to say it doesn’t work very well as a lip colour (to be far it doesn’t claim to, I was just improvising). It goes very chalky and cracked looking. So in an ideal world, I would have swapped this out for something designed specifically for dual use, such as a Nars The Multiple or a Stila Convertible Colour.
It’s a lot softer than my usual finish, and I sort of like that. I would go back to this quick approach for a lazy Sunday, but I’d have to find a better lip and cheek option. I have also come to the conclusion that I really need a heavy-duty concealer on my undereyes and I don’t feel confident without it, so I’d need to add that. I can’t really see me going anywhere serious without mascara either! But the five product challenge has made me feel more confident about being a little more relaxed in my approach, rather than panicking because I’ve run out of primer. I’ll be looking more into time-saving multi-tasking products too or anything that can save me a few extra minutes in bed in the morning.
Have you tried the 5 Product Face yet?
The whole point of make-up is having fun, experimenting and trying new things. But everyone needs what I call a 'go-to face', daily make-up that you can put on in a flash and rely on to look good.
Sometimes its fun to mix it up with a bright lip or an unexpected eye colour, and of course I go for specific make-up looks, but they're usually for nights out or special occasions. Most often, during the working week or for casual stuff at the weekend, I have my usual products, which I thought I'd share.
I keep my 'daily' products in a separate make-up bag from the rest of my stuff, so I know I can just pull it out and be ready to go.
Skin
Primer
Bourjois Happy Light Base Serum Matte
Primer has become an additional step over the last couple of years, because I work a long day and I want to do something to ensure that my base stays in place. I've been using Bourjois Happy Light for a while now. It comes in two versions - Luminous and Matte - and I bought both at the time. I actually don't massively rate this primer for staying power, although it does improve the look of my skin. Once this is used up, I'll probably move on and try something else that's a little more durable. This is mattifying though and the glass vacuum pump bottle it comes in is great.I just dot this on and smooth it in.
BB Cream
Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm
I don't like coverage that looks too heavy during the day, so I generally then move onto a BB cream, rather than a foundation at the moment. I got the Urban Decay BB a couple of weeks ago (full post on it here) so I'm still getting to grips with it, but I like it a lot so far. It has optical blurrers in and sunscreen, as well as a heap of other benefits. The formula is sheerer than I would normally go for though, and it certainly wouldn't do for a night out. But for day it gives an even, smooth appearance with no heavy, fake-looking effect.
Highlighter
Seventeen Skin Wow! 3-Way Highlighter
This product is a recent addition that has quickly worked its way from my drawer into my 'daily' bag, which goes to show how good it is. I've told so many people about this because I'm really impressed with the quality for the price- I've had to change my opinion of Seventeen products from just thinking its a sub-standard teen brand to something that's a serious contender! This can be used as a liquid highlighter, or on its own as a primer, or - like I do for everyday- a pump can be mixed in with your foundation. It just helps to pep up dull winter skin and it a really flattering pearly peach shot through with very fine gold particles- nothing too obvious, but just a really nice look. I mix this with the BB cream on the back of my hand and just use my hands to dot it on and work it in.
Concealer
Benefit Erase Paste in Shade 2
My biggest skin woe is the horrible undereye area I've inherited (thanks, parents!). Not only do I get bad puffiness in the morning, but I have dark circles as well and now I'm getting older, a few fine lines. All in all, its a real problem area, so I need a concealer that delivers. I know the factors that make the problem worse (lack of sleep, too much salty food, not enough water) and although I try to address them, I don't always get it right. Even on a good day, that area never looks great. Erase Paste is a really good, salmon toned cream that covers shadows well. One of the best tips I've learnt is to apply your concealer in a 'piece of pie' triangle shape under the eye as this draws the focus down and away from the bags! I dot this on using a Mac 194 brush and then use the pad of my finger to roll and press the concealer in - the warmth helps it go on better.
Powder
Bare Minerals Original Formula in 'Medium'
This foundation is one of my best ever bases, and is a consistent repeat buy for me. I'd heard of it ages ago, but it wasn't until I was looking at some pictures I'd taken with my friend Lady T, and realised how great her skin looked compared to mine that I became curious, as I knew she used it and swears by it. I tried some and I have to say, its a great product. It gives really good coverage and softens imperfections but it still lets your natural skin show through - sort of like real life airbrushing. I always buff this into my skin using the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. You need something short and densely packed, like that or a kabuki, for best results with a mineral powder like this.
Eyes
Shadow
Mac 'Naked Lunch' and 'Satin Taupe' or Bourjois Ombre Stretch 'Brun Nylon'The eyeshadow is probably what varies the most from day to day with my look, but I have three fail-safe shades in my daily make-up bag that I reach for. The first is Mac's 'Naked Lunch', a light shimmery golden-peach that's just a little way off from my skintone. It's a good neutral colour with a hint of shimmer. I use the Real Techniques fluffy shadow brush to put this all over the lid. If I'm pushed for time, or looking especially tired, sometimes I'll stop there, or sometimes I use one of the darker shades for the crease and outer v- my eye makeup doesn't get any more elaborate than that on a weekday! If I want a darker shade, I reach for Bourjois Ombre Stretch shadow in 'Brun Nylon'. This is the most perfect silvery taupe shade. Or sometimes Mac Satin Taupe, which is more a bronzy-grey brown.
Liner
L'Oreal Perfect Slim Super LinerDuring the week, I prefer just a quick swipe of liner from a pen-style applicator- these are so foolproof and smooth to use. I couldn't live without eyeliner, that little upward sweep just gives me a lift and lets me feel more myself! At the moment, I'm using this L'Oreal one and it's pretty good, but I switch it up all time and am also a fan of Eyeko Skinny Mini and Mac Fluidline.
Mascara
Seventeen Doll'd UpAt the moment, I'm mostly using Seventeen Doll'd Up during the week, another item from them that's impressed me. It's a brown-black shade that's a little more daytime. It's the first new one I've tried for a while after repeat buying L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic, which I have a nasty feeling is being discontinued. That's a shame as it was a big favourite for me. I only use mascaras with a plastic brush as I just think it gives a better, more defined result than a fibre brush, so I'm quite picky. I found this to be a good mascara and its currently my main one for day. As with all mascaras, I'm enjoying it more now I'm getting to the end of it and its drying up and getting thicker (anyone else like that? Just me? Oh well...)
Brows
Brow Powder
Mac Shadow 'Charcoal Brown'
Brows are so important to me, they get their own section! I can never be happy if I don't get them right in the morning, which can easily happen! At the moment, I'm using a Mac shadow in 'Charcoal Brown' to fill them in, using a Vital Radiance angled liner brush. I just think it gives a much softer appearance than a pencil. This shade is perfect because its a tone or two lighter than my actual brow hairs - top tip there! If you use a shade that's too dark, you're just going to look scary - its far better to go lighter, and not too red in tone! This ashy soft chocolate shade is perfect for me and its now an essential.
Brow Mascara
Maybelline Brow Drama Mascara 'Medium Brown'
To take care of all the messy hairs and set the brow make-up, I stroke through some of this tinted gel to keep my brows on lockdown. I wanted this so badly when it first came out that I literally stalked my local Boots until they got it in! I'm now curious about Benefit's new tinted brow gel, so I might try that one at some point. After its dried and set I also use a little spoolie that you can see in the picture to comb them through to soften it all down a bit.
Brow Highlighter
Benefit High Brow
As a final touch, I add a sweep of this creamy-pink pencil under the brow line to make the arches more defined. It also gives a very clean and groomed appearance instantly (and hides all the little stray hairs you didn't have time to pluck before work!). Sometimes I'll also use this pencil on the inner corners of my eyes to look more awake, and around my cupid's bow to shape my lips. I've repeat bought this crayon since I was about 18 and I wouldn't be without it now. There's no shimmer so its perfect for a more natural look.
Cheeks
Contour and Highlight
Sleek Face Form Palette 'Shade 2 Medium'
I do contour my face most days, due to having a lack of good bone structure. I'm obsessed with other people's cheekbones, mainly because mine are nowhere to be seen. So the Sleek Face Form palette is the first place I'll turn. I use a Mac 168 to chisel away at my face and try to create some kind of shape, and then the Real Techniques Eye Contour brush to do the same for my nose. Then I take a big, fluffy powder brush to blend out all the harsh lines. I also use the 168 to apply a little highlighter powder to the tops of my cheeks and the centre of my nose. The blush in this palette I almost never use (its a really shiny bronze that I don't like at all!). I'd much rather have an apricot or pink blush in there. I much prefer the shade of the blush in the fairest Face Form palette, but then the contour colour wouldn't be dark enough. I've used this palette for quite a few years and I do remember when it didn't come with a blush, I wish you could still get it with just the contour and highlight shades!
Blush
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush 'Cupid'I don't always use blush and most often I just contour or add bronzer. But I do keep a blush in my daily make-up bag in case I'm feeling the need for a bit of a pop of colour. And the one I keep close by is the Watercolour blush. It's insanely durable - a tiny dot blends out to a gorgeous sheer finish but it will literally last all day. I highly recommend this product because it's amazing quality. I've had the same little bottle forever because it lasts so long, but I keep meaning to buy other shades of it - a bronzer in this formula would be fab. This shade is quite pink so I have to go easy or I look like a china doll with two bright pink cheeks! You can buy a special application brush for it, but I just use my fingers to dot it on for a sheerer finish. I love Daniel Sandler stuff, but its stupidly hard to get hold of. I know you can buy it online, but I don't like to do that unless I'm sure what shade I need. The nearest stockist to me is a spa about an hours drive away. I would like more stuff from Daniel Sandler, they need a high street presence!
Lips
Liner
Astor Rouge Couture Automatic Lipliner 'Bois De Rose'
My lip routine during the week is not exciting at all, its literally sheer and natural. There's usually not much point with lipstick, seeing as I walk to work and then eat breakfast and not many lipsticks would stay fresh through all that! I tend to keep a couple of lipsticks in my desk drawer and pop them on when I get to work. So all I really do at home is use a neutral liner.
Lip Balm
Vaseline Pink BubblyI add a thin layer of lip balm to keep my lips hydrated, serve as a quick glossy and make sure they don't dry out too much on the walk to work. I'm a Vaseline addict and always have one on me! If I think my skin is looking dry, I'll use a dab as a cheek highlighter as well and it looks so dewy and lovely. This version smells so good as well!
The Finished Look
Light and natural but hopefully still groomed enough for work or coffee and shopping, visiting friends and things at the weekend!
I know it sounds a lot of products, but for a make-up junkie like me, this is the 'lite' version! With these things, I know I can do a speedy, 20 minute failsafe look.
What are your must-have daily face products?
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